Model-Based Optimization of Design Parameters of Subsurface Drain in Cotton Field under Mulch Drip Irrigation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I recommend this manuscript to be accepted under minor reviews, mainly regarding the text organization.
I found it hard to identify in the text the objective of the study, and the title could be improved.
For the title, I suggest: "Model-based Optimization of Design Parameters of Subsurface Drain in Cotton Field under Mulch Drip Irrigation".

Regarding the Introduction section, I was expecting something about the importance of irrigation (and drainage) as technique to remove excessive salt content in cultivated soils.

The maps (Figure 1) are horizontally stretched, and should present the same X and Y ratio (1:1 ratio), besides the need for mentioning the Datum and Coordinate System.

Author Response

Dear reviewer : 
I have revised all the amendments you have made. Amendments are now sent to you. Thank you for your valuable comments, any further amendments, please contact me in time. I will make further modifications. Thank you again for your valuable amendments to this article.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

An interesting and well-developed article. The authors combined theoretical and practical knowledge well. The results of the research confirmed the assumptions made. On the basis of the results of their analysis and practical research, they drew correct conclusions.

Why are results from only two years of research presented. In natural experiments, results from a minimum of three consecutive years of research should be presented and analysed. As the presented research was conducted several years ago the authors should have results from consecutive years. Please supplement the data with at least the results from 2015.

Unfortunately, there are virtually no publications by non-Chinese authors in the bibliography. This should be supplemented in the descriptions in the introduction and in the bibliography, as the authors should do a full international literature review. Notes are noted in the text.

 

Other errors and shortcomings were also noticed in the text:

Line 31: 'The results show that C11' please add the word 'variant';

Lines 39-43; 49-50: these are general problems that are being addressed by many researchers from all over the world, so please supplement the literature review with current publications from the world on this problem;

Lines 70-71: this model is widely used, please complete the international sources on this issue."

Line 108: proposes to give in brackets the areas in ha as more readable for a natural science audience;

Line 153: The notation of the unit 'litre' should be written in lower case e.g. „l”; „ml”. Please correct in all places in the text where this unit occurs;

Line 174: "in Table 4.For" - no spaces;

Line 182-183: Is this a drawing by the authors or was it obtained from other material. In the latter case, cite the source and add it to the bibliography. Improve the quality of the drawing;

Lines 187-188: "One-dimensional vertical 187 convection and hydrodynamic dispersion." The assignment stylistically does not fit the whole paragraph. Please improve the writing of the whole paragraph;

Line 217: Table 4 Missing headings in table, please amend;

Line 230: Please move the chapter title to the next page;

Lines 237-238: "and the correlation coefficient (R2), which are mathematically expressed in Equations (9) to (11)." Stylistically incorrect sentence as no equations are given for 'correlation coefficient (R2)';

Lines 279-280: Sentence unnecessarily split into two lines;

Line 281: "The simulation period was from..." it would be more correct to write about the study period;

Line 323 et seq: Entries "Table5" and "Table6" without the necessary break. Please correct all erroneous entries;

Line 325: It would be advisable to include more references to the world literature on the issue of soil salinity and its reduction in this part of the paper;

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear reviewer : 
I have revised all the amendments you have made. Amendments are now sent to you. Thank you for your valuable comments, any further amendments, please contact me in time. I will make further modifications. Thank you again for your valuable amendments to this article.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

I accept the explanation regarding the two-year study period. Considering the reproducibility of the research results, I accept such a period, but for the future, please keep in mind at least a three-year research period and secure funding for such a project duration.

There are still several editorial errors in the text:

A notation in hectares (ha) more readable for agro-technicians was not added, as I requested, in addition to the indications of the test area in hm².

Line 187 The title of Table 3 should be moved to the next page where this table is located. The title and table should be on one page.

Line 236 Table 4 should be on one page of text in its entirety. Currently its last line is on the next page.

Line 289 the title of figure 5 should be on the same page as the figure, it is currently on the next page.

Lines 342, 346, 349, 350 Incorrect entry is Table5 or Table6 and should be Table 5 or Table 6.

Line 365 Table 5 should be placed entirely on one page of text.

Line 366 Table 6 should be placed entirely on one page of text.

Author Response

Dear reviewer : 
In view of your suggestions and opinions on the manuscript, I have made amendments one by one. And made a yellow mark in the corresponding position of the manuscript. Thank you again for your suggestions and comments on the manuscript, here to say to you ' you have worked hard '. If there are further amendments, please contact me in time. Looking forward to your letter again.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx