Effects of Biochar and Organic Acid Addition on Phosphorus State and Yield of Cotton Field Under Different Phosphate Fertilizer Application Rates

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. Figure 1 and 2: looks pixelated; this can happen when screenshots are copied instead of original figures. Furthermore, the notes supplied under each of the figures, should be consistent with the letters (a, b, ab or c) used in the figure graphs. For instance, if ‘a’ denotes bud period in the figure graph, the note should mention it as ‘a’, and not ‘A’.

2. Table 3, 4, 5. Please explain the significance of suffixes - a, b, c, ab. bc, etc., under each table. 

3. The introduction paragraph needs more discussion on all technological options that are currently available for soil improvement (in phosphorus context). Then, discuss why biochar is a better option.

4. Line 39: The sentence starting with "According No data from the ational", contains error. Please rewrite and supply appropriate references in place of “No data”.

5. Lines 61 to 66: Some terms used in this paragraph are not clear. For instance, please explain the meaning of these terms - 'soil quick-acting phosphorus', 'cotton field phosphorus efficiency' and 'phosphorus balance of payments in cotton fields'. Please state the objectives of this work more clearly.

6. Lines 123 to 133: Please write this section in equation format.

7. Lines 139 to 141:  This paragraph section needs to be checked. If any animals/humans were part of the study please list the authority that provided approval and the ethical approval code.

8. Lines 251 to 254: This paragraph appears to provide instructions for authors on writing the discussion section. Such text can be deleted in a final manuscript. Please recheck the manuscript for other instances such as this and edit.

9. The conclusion section can be more descriptive.

10. Please supply the author affiliation for the corresponding author

 

Author Response

Reply to the comments

Dear editor,

We thank the referees for their careful reading of our paper.We have carefully considered the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly.Please find below our responses to the reviewers'comments.All the revisions have been addressed in the reply and Highlight in manuscripts with blue fonts.We hope the revised manuscript can be considered acceptable.

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 1

comments:

(1)Figure 1 and 2: looks pixelated; this can happen when screenshots are copied instead of original figures. Furthermore, the notes supplied under each of the figures, should be consistent with the letters (a, b, ab or c) used in the figure graphs. For instance, if ‘a’ denotes bud period in the figure graph, the note should mention it as ‘a’, and not ‘A’.

reply:Thank you for your comment.For Figure 1 and Figure 2, the picture has been replaced. "A" represents the bud period, "B" represents the boll opening。

 

comments:

（2）Table 3, 4, 5. Please explain the significance of suffixes - a, b, c, ab. bc, etc., under each table. 

reply:Thank you for your comment.According to your comments have been reconfigured in the introduction paragraph in phosphorus and biochar.

 

comments:

（3）Line 39: The sentence starting with "According No data from the ational", contains error. Please rewrite and supply appropriate references in place of “No data”.

reply:Thank you for your comment. Based on your comments, the text in the introductory paragraph has been re-changed.

 

comments:

（4）Lines 61 to 66: Some terms used in this paragraph are not clear. For instance, please explain the meaning of these terms - 'soil quick-acting phosphorus', 'cotton field phosphorus efficiency' and 'phosphorus balance of payments in cotton fields'. Please state the objectives of this work more clearly.

reply:Thank you for your comment. According to your comments, the meaning of terms such as soil quick-acting phosphorus, "" cotton field phosphorus efficiency "and" cotton field phosphorus balance of payments "has been explained in the introduction paragraphs.high yield and stability of cotton (Quick-acting phosphorus is the phosphorus in the soil that can be absorbed and used by the crop of the season) cotton field phosphorus efficiency (The meaning of phosphorus efficiency in cotton field refers to the efficiency and effect of the use of phosphorus fertilizer in cotton growing process.) phosphorus equilibrium (Soil phosphorus balance refers to the equilibrium between the input and consumption of phosphorus in soil.)

 

comments:

（5）Lines 123 to 133: Please write this section in equation format.

reply:Thank you for your comment. 2.4 Data processing has been fully written in the equation format.

 

comments:

（6）Lines 139 to 141:This paragraph section needs to be checked. If any animals/humans were part of the study please list the authority that provided approval and the ethical approval code.

reply:Thank you for your comment.No animals/humans were involved in the study and that paragraph has been deleted.

 

comments:

（7）Lines 251 to 254: This paragraph appears to provide instructions for authors on writing the discussion section. Such text can be deleted in a final manuscript. Please recheck the manuscript for other instances such as this and edit.

reply:Thank you for your comment. This type of text has been deleted.

 

comments:

（8）The conclusion section can be more descriptive.

reply:Thank you for your comment.The conclusion is described again in part.This study focuses on cotton production in Fukang region of Xinjiang .The effect of biochar and organic acid on phosphorus efficacy and phosphorus absorption in cotton was discussed .Through carefully designed trials, including the application of different amounts of phosphate fertilizer, the addition of biochar and organic acids, and controlled treatment, we aim to identify fertilizer applications that maintain high yield in cotton fields while ensuring efficient use of phosphate fertilizer .The experimental data show that although the application of phosphorus fertilizer has a positive effect on the growth of cotton, the long-term overuse can easily lead to the soil phosphorus holding, thereby inhibiting the effective absorption of phosphorus from cotton .In response to this problem, we found that under the conditions of phosphorus fertilizer loss, the addition of biochar can improve the effectiveness of phosphorus in soil, regulate the absorption and distribution mechanism of phosphorus in cotton, and ultimately have a positive effect on cotton seed yield .Based on the above findings, we propose that in the management of phosphorus in the cotton fields in Xinjiang, the application of biochar should be given high priority .The application of biochar and chemical phosphorus fertilizer can not only minimize the amount of chemical phosphorus fertilizer, but also help to achieve the sustainable management of phosphorus, providing a solid scientific support for the sustainable development of cotton fields in Xinjiang.

 

comments:

（9）Newsletter Author Please provide Author Unit

reply:Thank you for your comment.Corresponding Author The author unit that has been added to the text.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

The main question addressed by the research is involved in the manuscript title which informs that the effect of biochar addition amount on phosphorus status and yield in cotton field under different phosphate fertilizer application rates was studied.

However, the study aim was not correctly presented. In the end of the Introduction chapter there is extended information on what this study investigated in the aim to provide scientific support for reducing the application of chemical fertilizers and improving the utilization of phosphorus fertilizers in cotton fields in Xinjiang. All the information should be changed and formulated again. First, the research hypothesis resulted from the actual literature status should be correctly precised and then the purpose of the study specified. In the Introduction chapter there is no place for reporting what was investigated in the presented research but what was intended to be studied and for which reason, in the light of actual literature status.

Presented study is described and discussed correctly. However, the manuscript reports the results only of one vegetation season experiment. In my opinion it is not enough for scientific manuscript in such journal as Sustainability, especially if it is going to provide scientific support for chemical fertilization rates in specified well known and characterized region. The presented data should be confirmed in additional at least one year experiment.

After that the more detailed conclusions could be drawn. It would be a strong support for drawing more detailed conclusions, which in presented general form do not precise answer to the study aim.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

English language needs some corrections, which are indicated in the text

Author Response

Reply to the comments

Dear editor,

We thank the referees for their careful reading of our paper.We have carefully considered the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly.Please find below our responses to the reviewers'comments.All the revisions have been addressed in the reply and Highlight in manuscripts with blue fonts.We hope the revised manuscript can be considered acceptable.

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 1

comments:

(1)However, the study aim was not correctly presented. In the end of the Introduction chapter there is extended information on what this study investigated in the aim to provide scientific support for reducing the application of chemical fertilizers and improving the utilization of phosphorus fertilizers in cotton fields in Xinjiang. All the information should be changed and formulated again. First, the research hypothesis resulted from the actual literature status should be correctly precised and then the purpose of the study specified. In the Introduction chapter there is no place for reporting what was investigated in the presented research but what was intended to be studied and for which reason, in the light of actual literature status.

reply:Thank you for your comment.The objective of this project is to study the effect of biochar addition on phosphorus status and yield in cotton field with different phosphorus fertilizer dosage.

comments:

（2）Presented study is described and discussed correctly. However, the manuscript reports the results only of one vegetation season experiment. In my opinion it is not enough for scientific manuscript in such journal as Sustainability, especially if it is going to provide scientific support for chemical fertilization rates in specified well known and characterized region. The presented data should be confirmed in additional at least one year experiment.

reply:Thank you for your comment。This project refers to 2019 data, while comparing different fertilizers, highlighting the advantages, has been validated in the experiment.This study aims to study lime phosphorus-fixing soil in Xinjiang .Solving the problem of low utilization caused by excessive application of phosphorus fertilizer, By adding biochar, organic acids and optimizing phosphate fertilizer gradient application strategies, Exploring the synergistic mechanism between the three and phosphorus fertilizer, Promoting efficient absorption and utilization of phosphorus fertilizer in cotton, And to achieve high and stable cotton production. Reducing phosphorus fertilizer on soil under the premise of high yield and stability of cotton (Quick phosphorus is used to absorb and utilize phosphorus in current season crops) Plant phosphorus absorption and phosphorus distribution, seed cotton yield, cotton field phosphorus efficiency (Phosphorus efficiency in cotton field means the efficiency and effect of phosphorus fertilizer in cotton planting.) And phosphorus equilibrium (soil phosphorus equilibrium refers to soil‌ .the equilibrium between the input and consumption of phosphorus) elucidate the influence of phosphorus fertilizer on cotton growth and production composition .The purpose of this study is to provide a solid data support and theoretical basis for the scientific management and accurate application of phosphorus fertilizer in the cotton fields of Xinjiang, and to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in the region.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this paper, the authors reported the effect of biochar under various phosphorus fertilizer application rate (0, 50, 100, 150 kg/hm² P₂O₅) on cotton yield in Xinjiang for the sustainable management of phosphorus in the cotton field.

They reported the effect of biochar on soil quick-acting phosphorus fertility period, on biomass of various organs of cotton plants, on phosphorus content of various organs of cotton plants, on relative phosphorus partitioning in various organs cotton plants, on the cotton yield components, on phosphorus use efficiency, and on phosphorus balance in cotton field. 

They concluded from the experimental results that the addition of biochar enhances soil phosphorus, and maintain high yield and high efficiency in the lower chemical phosphorus fertilizer dosage (100 kg/hm² P₂O₅ treatment).

Although the experiment reported in this paper would be difficult, I think that the results reported in this paper are useful to develop the field of sustainable phosphorus management.

There are some minor comments as follows.

1.     P. 1, line 22-23, line 32-33

Please check the following sentences.

“…in the non-biochar…..addition of biochar…”

“In conclusion……soil…..”

2.     P.1, line 39

ationl → national

3.     P.2, line 80

fiber   ?

4.     P.4, line 150

, the MAP 150 treatment……?

5.     P.6, line 169-171, line 181-188

Please check carefully the following sentences, and rewrite more clearly.

“…Floc………(Table 3)”

“.., bud (MAP 0….(Table 4)”

6.     P.7, line 204, Fig. 3

biochill            ? 

7.     P.8, Table 5

Single bell        ?

8.     Table 6

The explanation of the REP, PUE, AE, PEP should be added.

Author Response

Reply to the comments

Dear editor,

We thank the referees for their careful reading of our paper.We have carefully considered the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly.Please find below our responses to the reviewers'comments.All the revisions have been addressed in the reply and Highlight in manuscripts with blue fonts.We hope the revised manuscript can be considered acceptable.

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 1

comments:

(1) P.1,line 22-23, line 32-33，Please check the following sentences.“…in the non-biochar…..addition of biochar…”，“In conclusion…soil…..”

reply:Thank you for your comment.This paragraph has been modified to add biochar and different phosphorus levels.

comments:

• 1, line 39ationl → national

reply:Thank you for your comment.Changes have been made in the introductory paragraphs.

 

comments:

(3) P.2, line 80  fiber   ?

reply:Thank you for your comment.Changed to cotton wool.

 

comments:

(4) P.4, line 150 , the MAP 150 treatment……?

reply:Thank you for your comment.The paragraph has been modified.Field test results are shown below, with the addition of biochar, organic acids and phosphorus fertilizer, The overall performance is increased with the amount of phosphorus applied and then stabilized. or a slight decrease in the tendency of different organic matter to the soil phosphorus activation, It can increase the content of effective phosphorus in soil, adding biocarbon and organic acid fast-acting phosphorus content above CK.

 

comments:

(5) P.6, line 169-171, line 181-188

Please check carefully the following sentences, and rewrite more clearly.

“…Floc………(Table 3)”

“.., bud (MAP 0….(Table 4)”

reply:Thank you for your comment.  Table 3 Floc Change to Number of bells per plant;REP, PUE, AE, PEP changed to Phosphorus Fertilizer Utilization、Cumulative utilization of phosphate fertilizer、hosphorus Fertilizer Agronom、Phosphorus Fertilizer Productivity。

 

comments:

(6)   P.7, line 204, Fig. 3

biochill            ? 

reply:Thank you for your comment.The paragraph has been modified.

 

comments:

(7)P.8, Table 5  Single bell        ?

reply:Thank you for your comment.Changed to Single bell weight

 

comments:

(8)Table 6

The explanation of the REP, PUE, AE, PEP should be added.

reply:Thank you for your comment.Changed to Single bell weight

 

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 4

comments:

(1)It is necessary to provide more information about biochar, its composition, raw materials for production, properties (surface, pores, impurity components) are not presented. A simple mention of biochar is not enough to understand its role or mechanisms of action.

reply:Thank you for your comment.Supplementary information on biochar in table 2

 

comments:

(2)What is the cost of biochar and what is the feasibility of using the proposed technology in terms of increasing economic costs in relation to the achieved effect.

reply:Thank you for your comment.Supplementary information on biochar in table 3.

 

comments:

(3)Are there data on greenhouse gas emissions during biochar production and how does the carbon footprint of biochar relate to the achieved effects.

reply:Thank you for your comment.e agree that more studies would be useful to understand the details of inteation and enhancement.At this point,we do not have the necessary tool-set to study the data available on greenhouse gas emissions from biochar production and how the carbon footprint of biochar relates to the results achieved.We hope to be able to study greenhouse gas emissions from biochar production in the future, and how the carbon footprint of biochar relates to the results achieved.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article is devoted to the current topic of increasing the efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers. The use of modifying additives to regulate the rate of release of fertilizers is an important task, which determines the practical value of the work. The scientific novelty of the work is not expressed clearly enough. More emphasis is required. The text of the work has the following questions.

1. It is necessary to provide more information about biochar, its composition, raw materials for production, properties (surface, pores, impurity components) are not presented. A simple mention of biochar is not enough to understand its role or mechanisms of action.

2. What is the cost of biochar and what is the feasibility of using the proposed technology in terms of increasing economic costs in relation to the achieved effect.

3. Are there data on greenhouse gas emissions during biochar production and how does the carbon footprint of biochar relate to the achieved effects.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

normal

Author Response

Reply to the comments

Dear editor,

We thank the referees for their careful reading of our paper.We have carefully considered the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly.Please find below our responses to the reviewers'comments.All the revisions have been addressed in the reply and Highlight in manuscripts with blue fonts.We hope the revised manuscript can be considered acceptable.

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 1

comments:

(1)It is necessary to provide more information about biochar, its composition, raw materials for production, properties (surface, pores, impurity components) are not presented. A simple mention of biochar is not enough to understand its role or mechanisms of action.

reply:Thank you for your comment.Supplementary information on biochar in table 2

 

comments:

(2)What is the cost of biochar and what is the feasibility of using the proposed technology in terms of increasing economic costs in relation to the achieved effect.

reply:Thank you for your comment.Supplementary information on biochar in table 3.

 

comments:

(3)Are there data on greenhouse gas emissions during biochar production and how does the carbon footprint of biochar relate to the achieved effects.

reply:Thank you for your comment.e agree that more studies would be useful to understand the details of inteation and enhancement.At this point,we do not have the necessary tool-set to study the data available on greenhouse gas emissions from biochar production and how the carbon footprint of biochar relates to the results achieved.We hope to be able to study greenhouse gas emissions from biochar production in the future, and how the carbon footprint of biochar relates to the results achieved.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

The purpose of the study in the end of the Introduction chapter is still not correctly presented. It is too long and carelessly written, what makes it difficult to understand.

The conclusions are very general but they respond to complex aim of the study.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The text, especially the new parts, is carelessly written and needs to be corrected.

Author Response

Reply to the comments

Dear editor,

We thank the referees for their careful reading of our paper. We have carefully considered the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly. Please find below our responses to the reviewers' comments. All the revisions have been addressed in the reply and Highlight in manuscripts with blue fonts. We hope the revised manuscript can be considered acceptable.

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 1

comments:

（1）The purpose of the study in the end of the Introduction chapter is still not correctly presented. It is too long and carelessly written, what makes it difficult to understand.

reply: Thank you for your comment. The effects of biochar and organic acid on soil phosphorus availability, plant accumulation and phosphorus uptake, yield composition and phosphorus balance were investigated under different phosphorus fertilizer dosage conditions. Authors assumed that the obtained results would provide a solid data support and theoretical basis for the scientific management and curate application of phosphorus fertilizer in the cotton fields of Xinjiang, and to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in the region.

 

comments:

（2）The conclusions are very general but they respond to complex aim of the study.

reply: Thank you for your comment. The addition of biochar and organic acid increased soil phosphorus content, plant accumulation phosphorus uptake, seed cotton yield and phosphorus fertilizer utilization rate. Among them, biochar treatment was superior to organic acid treatment in plant phosphorus absorption and accumulation, seed cotton yield and phosphorus fertilizer utilization rate, increasing by 10.2%, 0.29% and 0.21%, respectively. Under the condition of phosphorus fertilizer loss, the addition of biochar can effectively improve the availability of phosphorus in soil, regulate the absorption and distribution of phosphorus in cotton, and thus promote cottonseed yield. In summary, biochar has important application potential in phosphorus management of cotton fields, and can provide scientific basis for sustainable development of cotton fields in Xinjiang. The results can provide reference for the rational utilization and management of phosphorus fertilizer in cotton field and promote the sustainable development of agriculture. The effects of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint on biochar production can be further studied in the future.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I think that the revised paper is better than original one. However, there are some careless mistakes as follows.

1.     There are unusual usages of capital letter, comma, and period. Please check carefully the sentences.

2.     P. 6, Fig. 1. p. 7, Fig. 2

The symbol of (A),(B),(C) and (D)should be added in the figure 1, and the symbol of (A),(B) should be added in the figure 2.

3.     P.8, Fig.3

There is no figure 3(C).

4.     P.10, line 284,293

Biochar → Biochar and Organic Acid      ? 

5.     P.11, line 322

BC → OA

Author Response

Reply to the comments

Dear editor,

We thank the referees for their careful reading of our paper. We have carefully considered the comments and have revised the manuscript accordingly. Please find below our responses to the reviewers' comments. All the revisions have been addressed in the reply and Highlight in manuscripts with blue fonts. We hope the revised manuscript can be considered acceptable.

Reply to the comments of Reviewer 1

comments:

• There are unusual usages of capital letter, comma, and period. Please check carefully the sentences.

reply: Thank you for your comment. The opinion has been revised.

 

comments:

• 6, Fig. 1. p. 7, Fig. 2

The symbol of (A),(B),(C) and (D)should be added in the figure 1, and the symbol of (A),(B) should be added in the figure 2.

reply: Thank you for your comment. The opinion has been revised.

 

comments:

• 8, Fig.3

There is no figure 3(C).

reply: Thank you for your comment. This sentence has been deleted.

 

comments:

(4)P.10, line 284,293

Biochar → Biochar and Organic Acid?

reply: Thank you for your comment. This sentence has been added.

 

comments:

(5)P.11, line 322

BC → OA

reply: Thank you for your comment. Change BC to OA.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors All comments have been eliminated Comments on the Quality of English Language

Normal

Author Response

Thank you very much