Effects of Different Soil Water and Heat Regulation Patterns on the Physiological Growth and Water Use in an Apple–Soybean Intercropping System
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In annex
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
尊敬的编辑您好，感谢您对我论文的指导，我已经按照要求完成了包括语言的文字，增加了相关参考文献，检查了一些测量单位并替换了定义不佳的照片。
Reviewer 2 Report
Introduction
L58-L60, please provide much more evidence and references.
Materials and Methods
L140-L204, much more references need to be added.
Result
Well
Discussion
L379-416，L449-487. This part mainly explains the reasons for the test results, but it is not enough. What are the differences between this paper and previous research results? What are the reasons for the differences between them? Compared with previous research reports, where is the innovation and breakthrough of your research? As mentioned in the introduction, the monocropping system and intercropping system are quite different. This may be an important difference between this study and previous studies. So why not continue to discuss the differences and reasons between them?
L436-448. It is encouraged to explain the difference between this paper and previous research reports.
References
It needs to check carefully according to the requirements of Agronomy, such as the author's name. Some important information such as page number is missing.
Figures and tables
The resolution of pictures and tables is low and unclear. The font is too small.
Author Response
Dear editor Hello, thank you for your guidance on my paper, I have been completed in accordance with the requirements, including the language of the word, increase the relevant references, check some of the measurement unit and replace the poor definition of the photo.Below I answer some questions：1.Determination of field capacity （FC）using the indoor ring knife method.
2.The irrigation depth at different stages was determined according to the root length of soybean roots during the growth period.
3.Measurement of soil moisture is obtained by TDR, TDR water for soil volumetric water content, volumetric water content and mass water content conversion mainly through soil bulk density.
Research significance：provide theoretical basis and technical reference for ideal water and heat regulation mode of apple-soybean intercropping system in the Loess area.
Limitations :The test time is a growth period, and the longer growth period and intercropping years need to be further studied.
Development direction :It can support the research and development of more mature water-heat coupling regulation technology of fruit-crop intercropping system in the future.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
Dear editor Hello, thank you for your guidance on my paper, I have been completed in accordance with the requirements, including the language of the word, increase the relevant references, check some of the measurement unit and replace the poor definition of the photo.Below I answer some questions：1.Determination of field capacity （FC）using the indoor ring knife method.
2.The irrigation depth at different stages was determined according to the root length of soybean roots during the growth period.
3.Measurement of soil moisture is obtained by TDR, TDR water for soil volumetric water content, volumetric water content and mass water content conversion mainly through soil bulk density.
Research significance：provide theoretical basis and technical reference for ideal water and heat regulation mode of apple-soybean intercropping system in the Loess area.
Limitations :The test time is a growth period, and the longer growth period and intercropping years need to be further studied.
Development direction :It can support the research and development of more mature water-heat coupling regulation technology of fruit-crop intercropping system in the future.
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Thank you for the revision.
Author Response
Dear editor:
This time I mainly modified four expressions :
- Add the article funding information below the author.
- Delete the original 2.5.1 section of the article (This part is about the calculation of soil water content, which is mainly a formula for calculating the mean value. I think this formula is simple and unnecessary, so this part is deleted).
- I modified the unit of WUE and irrigation amount in the article.
We deeply appreciate your consideration of our manuscript. Please contact me if you need further information.
Thank you and best regards.
Sincerely
