Improvement of Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) Fruit Yield and Quality and Enhancementof Soil Fertility by Nitrogen Reduction Combined with Organic Fertilizers

Excessive amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizers are applied during wolfberry production, resulting in some soil problems as well as potential environmental risks in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, organic fertilizers were used to replace part of the N fertilizer in wolfberry fields with different fertility levels. N fertilizer rates had 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 g N/plant. Organic fertilizer rates had 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 kg organic fertilizer/plant. The experimental treatments included 6 combinations of N0M10, N50M8, N100M6, N150M4, N200M2, and control was N250M0. The results showed that in the high-fertility soils, combinations of N150M4, N100M6 and N50M8 treatments were increased in yields, fruit shape index, flavonoid content, total phenol content, mineral nutrient content, and antioxidant activity of wolfberry fruits. Also they were improved in soil fertility and decreased in residual nitrate through the soil depth of 0-300 cm. In the soil with less fertility, fruit yield, amino acid contents, flavonoids, total phenols, mineral nutrients and antioxidant activity of fruits were increased by the N200M2, N150M4 and N100M6 treatments and soil fertility was improved as well. Also more residual nitrate was found in the depth of 0-100 cm of soil with both chemical and organic fertilizer compared with the control. Therefore, in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, combining decreased N fertilizer with organic fertilizer rather than chemical fertilizer alone could help farmers achieve satisfactory yields and quality of wolfberry fruits and reduce the risk of nitrate leaching. In conclusion, 50-150 g/plant of N fertilizer combined with 4-8 kg/plant of organic fertilizer in high-fertility gardens and 100-200 g/plant of N fertilizer combined with 2-6 kg/plant of organic fertilizer in low-fertility gardens are recommended for wolfberry cultivation.

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