The effects of aerated irrigation on crop yield and fruit quality: A meta-analysis

Aeration irrigation (AI) is a promising method for improving crop quality and efficiency. Based on 156 peer-reviewed articles encompassing 1294 data pairs, this meta-analysis quantified the effects of AI on yield, yield components, and fruit quality. The results showed that AI significantly increased crop yield by 18.6 % (95 %CI: 17.2–19.7 %) compared with non-aerated irrigation (NAI). The most substantial benefits were observed in warm temperate climates, clayey and alkaline soils, and in greenhouse and fruit production systems. Yield gains were further enhanced under low nitrogen input and combined organic-inorganic fertilization. This technique also significantly improved grain yield components, increasing productive panicles, thousand kernel weight, grains per panicle, and seed setting rate by 7.2 %, 2.9 %, 4.3 %, and 1.0 %, respectively. For fruits and vegetables, AI enhanced the contents of vitamin C, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and lycopene by 11.6 %, 14.2 %, 11.3 %, and 31.1 %, respectively. It also improved the sugar-acid ratio by 13.1 % and reduced nitrate content by 10.6 %. Random Forest analysis identified soil organic matter, mean annual temperature, and irrigation amount as the dominant factors influencing the effectiveness of AI. Targeted application of AI under specific environmental and soil conditions can support the sustainable intensification of irrigated agriculture by improving both yield and fruit quality. Schematic representation of influencing factors for crop yield increase under aerated irrigation mode. • AI elicited a stronger yield response in fruits and vegetables versus grain crops. • AI boosts crop yields by increasing the number of effective panicles and grains per panicle • AI can offset the yield reduction resulting from nitrogen fertilizer cutbacks.