Genomics and Applied Biology 2026, Vol.17, No.1, 26-36 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/gab 34 range of 20-40 cm for different ridge types; the mechanized full-process regulations emphasize that the ridge height should be no less than 25 cm and remain consistent. These interval-based expressions are not contradictory to the results of field experiments showing “an initial increase followed by a decrease” - although ridge height does bring benefits, it is not infinitely increaseable, and the marginal effect will decrease or even turn into a negative effect (Li et al., 2019). What needs to be noted is that currently, there are not many studies that directly set the ridge height gradient based on the “commercial tuber rate” as the core indicator; more often, they split it into indicators such as the proportion of large and medium-sized tubers, abnormal rate, cracking rate, or mechanical harvesting damage. In the future, if a unified classification standard can be established and multiple points of verification can be conducted, the relationship between ridge height and commercial rate will be clearer and more easily quantitatively expressed. 8.3 Discussion on the adaptability of ridge height to variety types and ecological conditions The ridge height is not a universal figure; it is often closely tied to the characteristics of the variety. For varieties with shallow tuber formation and a rounder tuber shape, a shallower soil layer with loose and uniform texture is more necessary; for varieties with deeper tuber formation and a longer tuber shape, a thicker loosened soil layer may be required to avoid spatial limitations during tuber expansion (Villordon et al., 2019). The mechanized operation procedures also emphasize that varieties with a concentrated tuber formation range and strong skin resistance should be selected for mechanized harvesting, which actually reminds us that the ridge height should be considered together with the “tuber depth - skin strength” of the variety. Climate conditions are also important. In rainy areas, a higher ridge height and well-maintained drainage ditches provide a larger safety margin; in arid areas, if the ridge height is blindly raised, the risk of water loss increases, and in this case, covering with plastic film or drip irrigation is more crucial than continuing to raise the ridge height (Li et al., 2019). Research on root zone gases provides more specific judgment criteria - if the field often has stagnant roots after rain and CO₂ accumulation, improving ventilation and ridge height should be prioritized (Bhattarai et al., 2017); if the main problem is water shortage during the tuber expansion period, maintaining moisture conditions at an appropriate ridge height is necessary. In the end, the ridge height should serve the main contradiction in the region rather than being regarded as a uniform answer. 9 Conclusions and Production Application Suggestions When considering the public literature and various regulations together, several points become quite clear. Firstly, the change in ridge height is not just an alteration in appearance; it will also affect the aeration, moisture, and soil temperature conditions in the rhizosphere. Whether the tubers can start smoothly and whether the subsequent expansion is efficient largely depend on these conditions. From a physiological perspective, this is closely related to ATP supply and the transport of assimilates to the tubers. Secondly, the response of yield and commercial quality to ridge height is not always a linear increase; there is a certain range: if the ridge is too low, it is prone to oxygen deficiency and compaction; if it is too high, it may lead to increased moisture loss, and both extremes may bring risks of deformity or cracked tubers. An appropriate ridge height is more conducive to increasing the number of tubers formed and the proportion of medium and large-sized tubers. Thirdly, in the context of mechanization, ridge height also relates to the emergence effect and damage probability. Whether the ridge shape is consistent is as important as the specific height. Typical cases in rice-after-soil areas show that a medium ridge height of about 30 cm, combined with a reasonable ridge spacing, can not only achieve a higher yield but also be more conducive to machine harvesting, indicating that this height has good adaptability in various situations. Without aiming for an "absolutely optimal value", by integrating national and local technical opinions as well as mechanization procedures, a relatively reliable range can be determined: In most areas, the ridge height should be set between 25 and 35 cm for better operational feasibility. The specific height also depends on soil and rainfall conditions - in clayey or waterlogged fields, it can be closer to 30-35 cm; for sandy soil or areas with less water, 25-30 cm is more appropriate to avoid rapid water loss. Mechanized production also has minimum requirements, such as a ridge height of no less than 25 cm and a high level of consistency in ridge shape (such as over 95%). The purpose is to ensure smooth machine passage and stable harvesting process. In regions with abundant rainfall or using large ridge double-row farming, the ridge height can be chosen within the range of 33-40 cm, along with
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