Balancing Productivity and Environmental Sustainability in Pomelo Production Through Controlled-Release Fertilizer Optimization

Zetian Zhang, Guangzhao Gao, Jinghui Yu, Runzhi Zhan, Hongyu Yang, Zhengjia He, Bin Dong, Jindun Fan, Yina Fang, Sisi Zeng, Xinyu Xuan, Siyi Wang, Liangquan Wu, Wenhao Yang and Lijin Guo ()
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Zetian Zhang: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Guangzhao Gao: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Jinghui Yu: College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Runzhi Zhan: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Hongyu Yang: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Zhengjia He: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Bin Dong: College of Bee Science and Biomedicine, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Jindun Fan: College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Yina Fang: College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Sisi Zeng: International College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Xinyu Xuan: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Siyi Wang: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Liangquan Wu: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Wenhao Yang: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
Lijin Guo: International Magnesium Institute, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-29

Abstract: In the context of agricultural green transformation, the balance between the environmental footprint and economic return is a key indicator for measuring the synergy of high yields, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness in agricultural systems. However, the pathways and mechanisms for achieving this synergy in orchard systems remain unclear. Based on a three-year field experiment in Pinghe County, Fujian Province, a comprehensive evaluation framework integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) was constructed. This framework was used to systematically analyze the differences in the net ecosystem economic benefit (EEB) and environmental impact of four fertilization regimes: the conventional farming regime with no mulching (A; 1084 kg N ha −1 , 914 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 , and 906 kg K 2 O ha −1 ), the conventional farming regime with mulching (B), the optimized fertilization regime with water–fertilizer integration (C; 250 kg N ha −1 , 200 kg K 2 O ha −1 , 100 kg MgO ha −1 , and 400 kg CaO ha −1 ), and the optimized fertilization regime with controlled-release fertilizers (D). The results showed that regime D performed best in terms of yield, nutrient-use efficiency, and EEB, which increased by 220.5% and 297.5% compared with regime A, and reduced the input cost by CNY 63,100~69,000 hm −2 . Moreover, compared with regime A, regimes B, C, and D significantly reduced the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus footprints, respectively, with the carbon footprint reduced by 6.7~21.7%, 72.4~74.8%, and 71.6~76.5%; the nitrogen footprint reduced by 2.6~19.0%, 80.7~82.2%, and 80.1~83.4%; and the phosphorus footprint reduced by 15.3%, 100%, and 100%. Furthermore, the comprehensive evaluation index (CEI) is D > C > B > A. In total, the three optimized regimes balanced high yield with environmental sustainability, with the D regime showing the best performance, offering scientific support for transitioning to low-carbon, high-value orchards in smallholder systems.

Keywords: Guangxi pomelo; controlled-release fertilizer; life cycle assessment; net ecosystem economic benefit; environmental footprint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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