Field Crop 2025, Vol.8, No.3, 113-125 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 123 remarkable. The income per mu often increases by over 100 yuan, and nitrogen leaching and greenhouse gas emissions decrease by 30% to 50%. In the experiments in the North China Plain, the yield per mu increased by 5% through drip irrigation and fertilization, the WUE rose by 17% to 18%, and the nitrogen fertilizer utilization rate increased from 35% to 48%. Moreover, this was achieved under the conditions of 20% water conservation and 20% nitrogen reduction, further demonstrating its potential. There is more than one way to improve efficiency. In some places, emphasis is placed on optimizing the system. For instance, precise water and fertilizer supply based on the growth period of corn, with water and fertilizer replenishment during the jointing, tasseling and filling stages. The economic plan is to control the entire irrigation process at 100-120 mm and apply nitrogen fertilizer at 180-240 kg/hm² in three installments. However, beyond the system, the operational proficiency of farmers is equally crucial. From system installation to clogging prevention and maintenance, fertilizer dissolution and fertilizer concentration control, training is indispensable. The selection of inputs also affects the effect. Fully water-soluble fertilizers, appropriate drip irrigation tapes and filtration devices can ensure the smooth operation of the system. Recyclable drip irrigation tapes can also reduce costs. In terms of management models, scattered farmers are prone to problems, while unified construction and maintenance by cooperatives can reduce costs and ensure standardization. Finally, policies and demonstrations are indispensable. Financial subsidies, loan support and the construction of demonstration sites can make farmers more willing to adopt new technologies. Although drip irrigation and integrated water and fertilizer management have its advantages, there are still many problems. How to reduce evaporation in arid areas and how to coordinate rain farming and drip irrigation in rainy areas all require further research. The response of crops to water and fertilizer methods remains unclear. Root morphology, transport protein expression and photosynthetic efficiency may all be affected. There are also potential risks in the soil aspect. Although drip irrigation under film saves water, it may cause salt accumulation in non-moist areas, thereby affecting soil quality and the stability of microbial communities. The future development directions also include intelligence and precise control. Real-time regulation by sensors and big data seems ideal, but its actual effect remains to be tested. In addition, the combination of drip irrigation with measures such as straw mulching, organic fertilizer substitution, and conservation tillage may create a synergistic effect. Future research needs to strike a balance between field applications and molecular mechanisms, enhancing efficiency while also taking ecological sustainability into account. Acknowledgments We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to anonymous reviewers who have gave guidance for this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Abubakar S., Hamani A., Wang G., Liu H., Mehmood F., Abdullahi A., Gao Y., and Duan A., 2022, Growth and nitrogen productivity of drip-irrigated winter wheat under different nitrogen fertigation strategies in the North China Plain, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 22(3): 908-922. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jia.2022.08.107 Amiri Z., Gheysari M., Mosaddeghi M., Tabatabaei M., and Moradiannezhad M., 2019, Determination of the suitable location of soil moisture sampling in drip-tape irrigation management in a maize field, Journal of Water and Soil Science, 23(2): 45-54. https://doi.org/10.29252/jstnar.23.2.45 Bi Y., Wu W., Hou L., Liao R., Bi X., Wang L., and Chen Y., 2021, Quantifying the spatial distribution of soil nitrogen under long-term drip fertigation, Water, 14(9): 1337. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-864058/v1 Brar A., Buttar G., and Vashist K., 2001, Enhancing crop and water productivity of spring maize (Zea mays) through drip fertigation, Indian Journal of Agronomy, 64(1): 87-92. https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v64i1.5238 Çetin Ö., and Akalp E., 2019, Efficient use of water and fertilizers in irrigated agriculture: drip irrigation and fertigation, Acta Horticulturae et Regiotecturae, 2(2019): 97-102. https://doi.org/10.2478/ahr-2019-0019
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