Research on Enhancing the Yield and Quality of Oat Forage: Optimization of Nitrogen and Organic Fertilizer Management Strategies
, Xiang Ma 1, Jing Pan 1, Abd El-Zaher M. A. Mustafa 2 and Zhifeng Jia 1,*
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Manuscript entitled ‘’ Research on the Improvement of Oat Forage Yield and Quality in Qinghai: Based on the Optimization of Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Strategies’’ investigated the impact of different fertilization strategies on the yield and quality of oat forage during the flowering and milk stages to find a suitable nitrogen fertilizer management model for Qinghai Province. The paper has some important issue and should be modified. Please see the comments as below:
Abstract section is too long without appropriate structure. The method of the abstract section contains only the model. The author should add the treatments and .... On the other hand, the results are too long (lines 58-71).
One important point is that when using the abbreviation for the first time, the authors should bring the name of abbreviation. For example, in line 63-64, ADF, NDF, CF and …
I would suggest that the authors incorporate an "Abbreviations" section in the manuscript, providing explanations for the abbreviations used to enhance understanding (before introduction).
Introduction
Line 79: Oat (Avena sativa L.) isn’t grass, it is considered as cereal!
In lines 158-160, authors mention that ‘’Therefore, to achieve truly sustainable development, we not only need to improve the yield and quality of oats but also explore and implement more scientific and environmentally friendly farming strategies and management practices.”, -- >
There is one point: Since the main aim of your study is Optimizing Nitrogen fertilizer in oat farming, I would suggest that the author add one or two sentences about organic and conventional farming after line 160. This can a good point of view to readers and improve the novelty of the current work. Here is a published work that you can use it https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315870.
Lines 177-178: The authors mention that ‘’ the synergistic use of other fertilizers, such as the rational mix of organic fertilizers, is also a key way to enhance the effectiveness of fertilizers’’ Please bring some previous research on combination of organic fertilizers like biochar, compost, manure and … with chemical fertilizers and highlight novelty of your work. Here is a publish research about Interaction of Biochar with Chemical, Green and Biological Nitrogen Fertilizers on Nitrogen Use Efficiency Indices, this work is near to the current research, and you can use it for improve the introduction https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092106
Research hypothesis is not present and needs to be highlighted in one or two sentences at the end of the introduction.
Materials and Methods
It is better to bring the soil characteristics in the form of a table (lines 311-315). Also add the soil texture of the field of study (sand, silt, loam ….).
Line 369: Two fertilization periods … -- > period mainly used for a period of time; I think two fertilization strategy is a better phrase!
Add reference(s) for section 2.4. Determination indices and methods
Results and discussion
Legends, axes, and other text in all figures must be made readable. Figures 1 and 2 are too small when compared with the figure itself. The resolution of the figures is very low and unclear. Please bring the figures in another way or with high resolution!
There are some mistakes in significant letters and should be carefully check and revise, for example in Table 3, significance letter for F1 (10921) is b, on the other hand for F5 (10347) is C. Please check whole the figures and tables.
Conclusion
Authors are suggested to include the future perspective of the study or suggestions for future studies.
References
There aren’t any 2024 references, please add some new references to your work.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Check formatting, punctuation, and grammar to ensure the article reads smoothly and is free of errors. Moderate editing of English is required.
Author Response
We thank you for your valuable time and effort in conducting an in-depth analysis and evaluating our manuscripts. These accurate and valuable comments are critical to us. We respond to and revise all comments, which are shown in red font as follows:
Comments on the Quality of English Language
- Abstract section is too long without appropriate structure. The method of the abstract section contains only the model. The author should add the treatments and .... On the other hand, the results are too long (lines 58-71).
Response: Good suggestion! We revised in ‘Abstract’. Thank you!
- One important point is that when using the abbreviation for the first time, the authors should bring the name of abbreviation. For example, in line 63-64, ADF, NDF, CF and …
Response: Good suggestion! We have revised the abbreviations throughout. Thank you!
- I would suggest that the authors incorporate an "Abbreviations" section in the manuscript, providing explanations for the abbreviations used to enhance understanding (before introduction).
Response: Good suggestion! We have explained the abbreviations used in “2.3. Experimental design”. We ask for permission to do this. Thank you!
- Line 79: Oat (Avena sativa L.) isn’t grass, it is considered as cereal!
Response: Good suggestion! We have revised this misrepresentation by citing the latest research. Thank you!
- In lines 158-160, authors mention that ‘’Therefore, to achieve truly sustainable development, we not only need to improve the yield and quality of oats but also explore and implement more scientific and environmentally friendly farming strategies and management practices.”, -- >
There is one point: Since the main aim of your study is Optimizing Nitrogen fertilizer in oat farming, I would suggest that the author add one or two sentences about organic and conventional farming after line 160. This can a good point of view to readers and improve the novelty of the current work. Here is a published work that you can use it https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315870.
Response: Good suggestion! We think the references you have provided are very appropriate. We have added this section. Thank you!
- Lines 177-178: The authors mention that ‘’ the synergistic use of other fertilizers, such as the rational mix of organic fertilizers, is also a key way to enhance the effectiveness of fertilizers’’ Please bring some previous research on combination of organic fertilizers like biochar, compost, manure and … with chemical fertilizers and highlight novelty of your work. Here is a publish research about Interaction of Biochar with Chemical, Green and Biological Nitrogen Fertilizers on Nitrogen Use Efficiency Indices, this work is near to the current research, and you can use it for improve the introduction https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092106
Research hypothesis is not present and needs to be highlighted in one or two sentences at the end of the introduction
Response: Good suggestion! We think the references you have provided are very appropriate. We have added this section. Thank you!
- It is better to bring the soil characteristics in the form of a table (lines 311-315). Also add the soil texture of the field of study (sand, silt, loam ….).
Response: Good suggestion! We revised this section in “2.1. Experimental site”. Thank you!
- Line 369: Two fertilization periods … -- > period mainly used for a period of time; I think two fertilization strategy is a better phrase!
Response: Yes! We revised this. Thank you!
- Add reference(s) for section 2.4. Determination indices and methods
Response: Good suggestion! We revised this section in “2.3. Determination indices and methods”. Thank you!
- Legends, axes, and other text in all figures must be made readable. Figures 1 and 2 are too small when compared with the figure itself. The resolution of the figures is very low and unclear. Please bring the figures in another way or with high resolution!
Response: Good suggestion! We recreated the image with reference to ‘Agronomy’ suggestion and exported it to PNG (350 DPI), which is compliant. Thank you!
- There are some mistakes in significant letters and should be carefully check and revise, for example in Table 3, significance letter for F1 (10921) is b, on the other hand for F5 (10347) is C. Please check whole the figures and tables.
Response: Yes! We have checked and revised the significant letter marking throughout the text and confirmed that it is correct. Thank you!
- Authors are suggested to include the future perspective of the study or suggestions for future studies.
Response: Thanks to your suggestion, we've added this section to “Discussion”. Thank you!
- There aren’t any 2024 references, please add some new references to your work.
Response: Yes! We cite the latest references. Thank you!
- Check formatting, punctuation, and grammar to ensure the article reads smoothly and is free of errors. Moderate editing of English is required.
Response: Yes! We used Grammarly to correct grammar and sought native English speakers and proficient colleagues for further review to ensure accuracy. Thank you!
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
In the front there is a manuscript with title Research on the Improvement of Oat Forage Yield and Quality in Qinghai: Based on the Optimization of Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Strategies
The manuscript has good idea but there are some shortness
Title: why the title not include any words about organic fertilizers
You don’t need to write the name of the area Qinghai in the title also, you should add some words about organic fertilizers.
Abstract: is well
Keywords: authors should add other words not included in title.
Introduction: is well but authors should add more information about how this strategies will help in sustainability and the economic benefits will got from this strategy and their relations with soil and environment.
Material
Is well but which methods authors used in the chlorophyll determination and you should add reference.
For The ADF, NDF, and CF contents authors should explain this before writing the abbreviation.
Results
Authors should start the results by the table of photosynthesis parameters not yield
Discussion
Authors must add chapter about how this strategy will help in sustainability
Conclusion
Should include good information’s about the results to help the reader to understand how your work will help on and how the farmers can use these information’s for their won farm.
General comments
The manuscript has a lot of information and results and the authors used all research guide in this work but all these strategy is old and most of the researchers right now are looking for the new methods for fertilizers to help the environment and sustainability.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
English is well
Author Response
We thank you for your valuable time and effort in conducting an in-depth analysis and evaluating our manuscripts. These accurate and valuable comments are critical to us. We respond to and revise all comments, which are shown in red font as follows:
- Title: why the title not include any words about organic fertilizers
You don’t need to write the name of the area Qinghai in the title also, you should add some words about organic fertilizers.
Response: After careful consideration, we have revised the title.Thank you!
- Keywords: authors should add other words not included in title.
Introduction: is well but authors should add more information about how this strategies will help in sustainability and the economic benefits will got from this strategy and their relations with soil and environment.
Response: Good suggestion. I have added this content to the discussion section and would like to seek your permission to do so. Thank you！
- Is well but which methods authors used in the chlorophyll determination and you should add reference.
For The ADF, NDF, and CF contents authors should explain this before writing the abbreviation.
Response: Good suggestion! We revised this section in “2.3. Determination indices and methods”. Thank you!
- Authors should start the results by the table of photosynthesis parameters not yield. Authors must add chapter about how this strategy will help in sustainability. Should include good information’s about the results to help the reader to understand how your work will help on and how the farmers can use these information’s for their won farm.
Response: Good suggestion! We have made the necessary replenishment. Thank you!
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
The authors incorporated all the comments and the current version is acceptable. No more comments.
