Optimizing Fertilizer Management Practices in Summer Maize Fields in the Yellow River Basin

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article presents an interesting study conducted in a crucial agricultural production locality. I have the following comments on the text:

1) Avoid using abbreviations in the abstract.

2) Instead of using a list of grouped references, it would be more helpful to provide a brief justification for each individual reference.

3) Consolidate in-text references.

4) Please double-check the index notation in Equation 2 for accuracy and clarity.

5) For Fig. 3 and 4, adjust the scale of the axes appropriately in the individual graphs and place the legend in a way that maximizes the information visible in the graphs.

6) It would be beneficial to clarify if the obtained results are valid for the entire described area around the Yellow River Basin. Please define the geographic scope of your study's impact.

7) In section 3.3, explain why a specific regression model was chosen. When dealing with similar models, there is a significant risk of overlearning, so the choice must be defended.

Overall, the article presents valuable insights into agricultural production in a specific locality. Addressing these comments will enhance the clarity and impact of the study.

Author Response

Dear Editor.Please see the attachment for the response to the expert opinion.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This study aims to examine the impact of combined irrigation and fertilizer control on maize nutrition and yield. The research is agronomically interesting and can contribute to better management of N in corn. However, it failed to reinforce the importance of the irrigation methods used in the research. The scientific novelty of the research and what has already been studied on the subject were not justified in the introduction. This applies to the studied fertilization frequency factor and the works already published on this topic. Indicate the reference that defined the doses of N used. Discriminate the NPK dose used as base fertilization and a reference.

Author Response

Dear Editor.Please see the attachment for the response to the expert opinion.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript has been improved and can be published.

Author Response

Thanks for the advice, it helps a lot to improve the article!