Fertilization Highly Increased the Water Use Efficiency of Spring Maize in Dryland of Northern China: A Meta-Analysis
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Several comments have been made to the authors to improve the presentation and discussion of the findings, because it is an interesting research, but at the current state is rather vague and leaves questions and doubts to the readers.
The comments are attached.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Moderate editing of English language is required in many parts of the manuscript.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The study offers some interesting findings about the importance of various environmental and agronomic conditions that could affect the relationship between fertilization and WUE of spring maize in drylands locations. The findings are critical given that water supplies are becoming increasingly scarce around the world, particularly in dryland areas. The approach used by the authors is appropriate for this type of research, and the results are well justified, with references to support them. The data could be used in future studies to clarify conditions for fertilization management practices to increase WUE crops, such as maize, in drylands. The manuscript is nicely written and comprehensive. Except for the references, which must be formatted according to the journal's guidelines, it could be considered for publication.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Peer-Review V1 is delivered in a file
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
The manuscript contains an interesting study on the influence of fertilisation on the water use efficiency of maize. The results of the analyses are of great relevance for agriculture in areas with high water scarcity. The manuscript requires some corrections.
Line 5-7, 1 and 2 in superscript. No e-mail addresses. Who is the Corresponding Author?
Line 100, please post the text first and then the figure
Line 101, correct Figure
Line 195, please provide full details of the statistical software producer
Line 213 etc., correct m-3
Line 216 etc. , correct (Fig. 3a),
Line 329-340, why such a font?
Reference, please remove publications older than 10 years, especially from the last century.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors are encouraged to change the abbreviations of T, P and A to Temp. Prec. and Alt. because the single letters are too common and can be confused with other parameters (e.g. P - Phosphorus)
The manuscript requires extensive editing regarding the English language.
