Optimizing the Optimal Planting Period for Potato Based on Different Water-Temperature Year Types in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of North China
, Yingbin He 1,*, Shanjun Luo 2, Xintian Ma 1, Zhiqiang Li 3, Zeru Lin 3 and Zhiliang Zhang 4Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The topic of the paper is important
I have included all my comments in the attached file
I wish that with all comments by reviewers and editor the presented paper will go to final publication process.
The abstract can be shortened and limits shopuld be inserted
Introduction is good but should be also improved by concentrating the previous studies output and highlighting clearly the need for the present study
material and method section looks fine but lacks also that the expriment for confirmation of the present model were not done in all the locations (this should be inserted in the limits of the present study)
results section should concentrate on the main results and if possible delete non important figure/figures (if any)
discussion section is not balanced since some section like (OPP discussion) is extensively longer than other (balance should be targeted in editing)
conclusion can also be imroved taking into accout the inserted comments
Comments for author File: 
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Author Response
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Author Response File: 
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Reviewer 2 Report
The manuscript “Agriculture-1433699” entitled “Optimizing the planting date for potato based on different water-temperature year types in the agro-pastoral ecotone of North China” by Yang et al. deals with an interesting subject regarding the selection of the optimal planting period and cultivar of potato according to different water-temperature year types across agro-pastoral ecotone in North China. The results showed that potato yield and optimal planting period varied significantly in different water-temperature year types, which was mainly due to the difference in water conditions at the tuber formation stage that are caused by a variable distribution and amount of precipitation. Fast-developing cultivar Favorita could obtain the highest yield in most places and water-temperature year types due to its relatively short length of tuber formation stage, which can experience less water stress and lower risk of encountering frost events. In addition, potato yield could be significantly increased by using altered planting dates and optimal cultivars.
The topic and content are appropriate. Scientific content and the manuscript size are appropriate. The introduction provides sufficient background and includes all relevant references. The novelty of the results is above the average of novelty knowledge. The conclusions of the article are well-proof. The title and the abstract of the manuscript are also appropriate. The editing and linguistic quality are good. The quality of citations is appropriate. However, there are some points that need attention in order for the article to be published. I would like to recommend a minor revision is required for the reasons listed below:
- The abstract is too long (296 words when the limit is about 200 words) and descriptive.
- Keywords: Please change some keywords. Title and keywords must not contain the same words.
- Line 108: Authors should refer to the altitude of the experimental site.
- Line 164: “NO3-” instead of “NO3-”
- Lines 177-178: Please align text in the center.
- Lines 430-431: “Figure S1: title”, delete.
- Table 1: Please add the altitude of each meteorological site.
- Figure 4: Figure legend is very hard to read. Please fix this problem.
Thank you for your consideration.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
