Sustainable management practices to improve the water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain: a meta-analysis

Water shortage is a serious threat to agriculture production in the North China Plain. Sustainable management practices can improve water use efficiency of winter wheat, but currently no academic consensus has been reached. Therefore, we performed meta-analysis that included 2194 observations from 209 articles assess wheat this area. The groundwater provides for 34%–37% evapotranspiration, which increases decline levels. irrigation appears be key process improving agricultural efficiency. We observed regression analyses factors such as climate, soil, and significantly affect (p < 0.05). data showed nitrogen input increased yields 0.05), did not compared rain-fed wheat. optimal was obtained when amount 80–160 mm, or applied twice, seasonal plus precipitation ? 240 mm. In contrast, evapotranspiration improvement especially prominent application rate 220–250 kg·ha?1. Moreover, subsoiling straw return should recommended increasing yield, reducing These ultimately save over mm 75 kg·ha?1 nitrogen, contributes sustainable development. Here, demonstrate first time impact on crop at regional scale propose development scheme.