Effects of Water and Nitrogen Management on Root Morphology, Nitrogen Metabolism Enzymes, and Yield of Rice under Drip Irrigation
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The title "Effects of water and nitrogen management on root morphology, nitrogen metabolism enzymes, and yield of Rice under drip irrigation" suited with the deep investigation that has been performed by the authors. The outcomes of the study are very interesting and therefore I reccommend minor revisions:
- it is not clear where the studies were cited in the manuscript, since instead of the citation there is the message "Error! Reference source not found."
- Lines 54-57 Is reported some study on the nitrogen issue? For instance:
--> Diffuse Water Pollution from Agriculture: A Review of Nature-Based Solutions for Nitrogen Removal and Recovery. Mancuso, G., Bencresciuto, G. F., Lavrnić, S., & Toscano, A. | Water, 13(14), 1893 (2021).
- In the introduction section, it might be interesting to report some application that can be sustainable in providing nitrogen to crops, one of theme is wastewater reuse:
--> GIS-Based Assessment of the Potential for Treated Wastewater Reuse in Agricultural Irrigation: A Case Study in Northern Italy. Mancuso, G., Parlato, C. M., Lavrnić, S., Toscano, A., Valenti, F. | Sustainability, 14(15) (2022), 9364.
Author Response
Response letter
Dear Editor and Reviewers:
We feel great thanks for your professional review work on our article. As you are concerned, there are several problems that need to be addressed. In this revised version, changes to our manuscript were all highlighted within the document by using red-colored text according to your nice suggestions, we have made extensive corrections to our previous draft, the detailed corrections are listed below.
1. It is not clear where the studies were cited in the manuscript since instead of the citation there is the message "Error! Reference source not found."
Response: We feel sorry for our carelessness, we have checked the literature carefully, and the literature has been re-cited in the revised version.
2. Lines 54-57 reported some studies on the nitrogen issue.
Response: We have revised lines 54-57 to illustrate some of the problems associated with growing rice in Xinjiang under traditional cultivation methods, also read the literature you gave us.
3. In the introduction section, it might be interesting to report some applications that can be sustainable in providing nitrogen to crops, one of themes is wastewater reuse:
Response: We think this is an excellent suggestion, have re-written this part according to the Reviewer’s suggestion, reflected in the text 61-72 line.
我们尽力改进稿件，在修改后的论文中做了一些红色标注的改动，不会影响论文的内容和框架。我们衷心感谢编辑/审稿人的热情工作，并希望更正得到批准。再次非常感谢您的意见和建议。
你的真诚，
唐青云
2月 2023， <>
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
'After carefully reviewing the work, I suggested major revision. The following are my recommendations.
1. The abstract is very long
2- The purpose is not apparent and the introduction is insufficient.
3. Some abbreviations need to clarification.
4- Carefully review the references in both the text and the reference section.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
I have revised the manuscript " Effects of water and nitrogen management on root morphology, nitrogen metabolism enzymes, and yield of rice under drip irrigation". The topic of this paper is of paramount importance when considering the fact that rice yield and rational application of water and nitrogen use efficiency becomes vital to ensure food security. The topic is closely falling within the aims and scope of the journal.
Below are my comments on the manuscript to make it more understandable to the reader of Agronomy:
Introduction
In the introduction as well as in the whole work, references to literature are missing or are incorrectly used. The authors should first expand the paragraph about rice based on FAO data (in which countries rice is grown in the largest amount, on what area, what is its importance, etc.). I also suggest that the authors write in the introduction why drip irrigation has an advantage over other irrigation methods and support it with literature
Materials and Methods
Authors should unify the units. In one sentence it is (line 128) kg .hm-2 and in another it is kg/hm2 (line 138). I suggest write the units kg. hm-2, g kg-1 , kg .hm-2 etc.
2.2. Experimental Design
What drip line was used for drip irrigation? How much were the one-time doses of water during irrigation drip? The Authors should write where the irrigation water came from and was basic quality parameters.
2.4. Data processing and statistical methods
The Authors should describe the statistical analysis in more detail. The computers program used to statistical analysis should be write to reference list.
Discusion
Inappropriately cited literature
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
This study evaluate the effect of water and nitrogen management on root morphology and yield of rice. This is very important and needed research for water and fertilizer management in rice.
Although authors have conducted applied research it is hard to follow. Abstract is not clear. Add "the objective of this study was" before" to explore..." in line 13.
Method is not clear. How drip irrigation was applied is not clear. Three nitrogen management mode is not clear, when they were applied.
I suggest rewriting the manuscript clearly for improving the manuscript.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
The Authors revised the manuscript according with the comments.
