Impact of pulsed drip irrigation and organo-mineral N-fertilization on improving sandy soil properties and limon production

The depletion of water resources has intensified with the evolving global climate change, leading to increased demands for water requirements in agricultural practices. In addressing these challenges, our consideration has centered on the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies. Lemon yields are diminishing due to the effects of severe climate change. To counter this decline, farmers resort to the application of nitrogen fertilizers in an attempt to boost yields. Nevertheless, the excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers has adverse effects on both plants and the environment. Therefore, two field experiments were carried out during the years 2021 and 2022 at the experimental farm (in the Nubaria region, Egypt) to examine the effects of two irrigation methods [conventional drip irrigation and pulse drip irrigation] and integrated nitrogen fertilization [five organo-mineral N fertilization rates OMN: OMN1 (100% mineral N + 0% organic N), OMN2 (75% MN + 25% ON), OMN3 (50% MN + 50% ON), OMN4 (25% MN + 75% ON), and OMN5 (0% MN + 100% ON)] on water productivity, lemon productivity, and fruit quality. In arid conditions, soil organic matter content, soil microorganisms activity, soil pH, water application efficiency, water stress inside the root zone, lemon productivity (LP), lemon water productivity (WPLemon), and lemon fruit quality were examined. The findings showed that the pulse drip irrigation approach improved LP, WPLemon, vitamin C, and lemon’s total soluble solids. The results also showed how integrated N-fertilization was important for increasing the proportion of organic component addition. Our findings suggested that applying pulsed drip irrigation coupled with integrating N-fertilization boosted water productivity, lemon productivity, and fruit quality. The highest outcomes were achieved when using pulse drip irrigation and 50% organic N + 50% mineral N-fertilizers.