Effect of Niche-fitness under Mulching and Fertilization on Yield of Lilium Davidii var. Unicolor in Semiarid Regions

Abstract

Strategies of plastic film mulching and fertilization of field in semiarid regions of northwest China are analyzed in this paper. The theory and approach of niche-fitness are introduced into the research on field management. Mathematical model of niche-fitness is constructed to evaluate the adaptive extent of Lilium davidii var. unicolor to mulching and fertilization and their effect on growth and yield. Compared with those under non-mulching, the plants under mulching had a larger leaf area index (LAI); fertilization increased the plant LAI under both mulching and no-mulching, and the largest LAI was achieved under the combination of mulching and fertilization. The average values of niche-fitness, bulb yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of Lilium davidii var. unicolor under mulching were significantly higher than those under non-mulching. Either non-mulching or mulching, the average values of niche-fitness, bulb yield and WUE increased with the increase of fertilizer supply. These findings might be helpful to the farmland mulching-fertilizer management in semiarid regions.