Plastic Film Mulching and Compound Fertilizer Ratios Synergistically Enhance Potato Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Alpine Regions of Southwestern China

Plastic Film Mulching and Compound Fertilizer Ratios Synergistically Enhance Potato Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Alpine Regions of Southwestern China | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Plastic Film Mulching and Compound Fertilizer Ratios Synergistically Enhance Potato Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Alpine Regions of Southwestern China Xiao Zhang, Quanlu Zhou, Lisha Liu, Yi Yang, JianGang An This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6661641/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Potato Research → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of plastic film mulching and compound fertilizer formulations on winter potato production in alpine regions of Southwestern China, this investigation employed a two-factor split-plot design to evaluate the synergistic effects of five compound fertilizers (F1-F5) under contrasting mulching conditions [plastic film mulching (M+) vs. non-mulching (M-)] on yield formation, tuber quality, and nutrient use efficiency. Key findings revealed that plastic film mulching significantly improved potato yield (7.843, P<0.01) and marketable tuber ratio (34.923, P<0.01). Under mulching conditions, F2 (Wanzhi compound fertilizer: N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O =13-8-9 with 20% organic matter) increased tuber number and yield by 17.96% and 31.11%, respectively, under mulching. The F5 formulation (Jiuhekang+: N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O =20-10-18) achieved optimal single tuber weight and highest marketable tuber rate. Mulching significantly enhanced nutrient acquisition efficiency, with all fertilizer treatments showing substantially improved nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake and utilization rates compared to non-mulching conditions. Notably, the F4 treatment (Sanning: N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O =14-16-15) attained peak nitrogen use efficiency (60.61%), while F2 exhibited maximum phosphorus and potassium utilization rates (11.89% and 68.88%, respectively) alongside optimal harvest index. Tuber quality analysis demonstrated that F4 significantly elevated ascorbic acid content (85.75% increase vs F0) and dry matter accumulation (16.32% enhancement). This study establishes that plastic film mulching combined with tailored compound fertilizers (particularly F2 and F5 formulations) effectively optimizes potato productivity, quality parameters, and nutrient use efficiency in high-altitude cultivation systems. The findings provide both mechanistic understanding and practical strategies for developing precision cultivation techniques in alpine potato production systems of Southwestern China, addressing critical challenges in sustainable intensification of tuber crops under marginal growing conditions. Potato Plastic film mulching Compound fertilizer ratios Yield Quality Nutrient use efficiency Figures Figure 1 1. Introduction Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L. ), a dual-purpose crop for food and vegetable production, is characterized by broad adaptability and high economic returns. It serves as a vital cash crop in arid regions of Northwest China and high-altitude mountainous areas of Southwest China, playing a significant role in ensuring national food security and enhancing agricultural efficiency. The Dabashan region, a traditional potato-producing area in Sichuan Province, features high elevation, cool climates, significant diurnal temperature variations, ample sunlight, and distinct vertical climatic zones, providing optimal conditions for potato cultivation. However, winter potato planting and seedling stages in this region are frequently challenged by extreme weather events such as frost, cold waves, and heavy snowfall. Additionally, concentrated rainfall from June to September, coupled with severe frost damage and winter drought, critically restricts normal potato growth (Wang et al., 2021 ) . Plastic film mulching (PFM) has been widely adopted in early spring or high-altitude regions with low temperatures and insufficient accumulated heat due to its effectiveness in enhancing soil temperature, conserving moisture, increasing crop yields, activating soil nutrients, and improving water use efficiency (Li et al., 2004 ; Moreno & Moreno, 2008 ; Zhang et al., 2017 ; He et al., 2017 ; Gu et al., 2021 ). However, PFM increases production costs, and residual fragmented film residues negatively impact root development, water-nutrient transport, and crop productivity (Gu et al., 2024 ). Consequently, some local producers prefer direct soil covering for sowing. Furthermore, Sichuan, a major labor-exporting province, faces challenges from insufficient and aging agricultural labor, necessitating the exploration and adoption of simplified and refined cultivation practices. Compound fertilizers, containing two or more essential nutrients, efficiently meet crop nutritional demands. Diverse compound fertilizer formulations and nutrient ratios have significantly enhanced agricultural productivity, particularly due to their labor-saving advantages over single-element fertilizers, making them popular among farmers. Studies have demonstrated their efficacy in improving yield and quality in crops such as maize (G.Li et al., 2022 ), rice (Hu et al., 2023 ), soybean (Cahyono et al., 2024 ), sweet potato (Wang et al., 2022 ), and potato (Holmes & Shiles, 1980 ; Yimer, 2022 ). While different compound fertilizer formulations show no significant effects on potato plant height, main stem number, stem diameter, tuber number per plant, or commercial tuber rate, they moderately influence tuber weight per plant and significantly affect overall yield (Gao et al., 2020 ). Appropriate N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O ratios in compound fertilizers enhance stem diameter and branch number, thereby promoting tuber yield and quality (Cheng et al., 2024), though minimal impacts on tuber dry matter content have been observed (H.Li et al., 2022 ) . The proliferation of commercial compound fertilizer brands and formulations complicates decision-making for producers. Additionally, debates persist regarding the necessity of mulching in local potato cultivation. This study aims to elucidate the effects of mulching methods and compound fertilizer formulations on potato yield, quality, and nutrient use efficiency in alpine regions of Southwestern China, providing technical insights for fertilizer selection and high-yield winter potato cultivation in Sichuan. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Experimental Site Description The field trials were conducted at two locations: Houheyuan Village, Guandu Town, Wanyuan City (31°97′ N, 108°20′ E; elevation: 1,004 m); Qiaohe Village, Hongfeng Township, Xuanhan County (31°78′ N, 105°76′ E; elevation: 986 m). Pre-sowing soil nutrient content in the tillage layer (0–20 cm depth) is summarized in Table 1 . Table 1 Soil Nutrient Content of the Experimental Site Experimental site TN g·kg − 1 TP g·kg − 1 TK g·kg − 1 AN mg kg − 1 AP mg·kg − 1 AK mg·kg − 1 OM g·kg − 1 pH Houheyuan Village, Guandu Town, Wanyuan City 1.45 0.36 25.98 81.23 39.25 144.66 42.99 6.91 Qiaohe Village, Hongfeng Township, Xuanhan County 1.37 0.43 26.19 80.39 40.31 145.84 42.29 7.07 2.2 Experimental Design A split-plot design was employed, with main plots assigned to two mulching treatments: plastic film mulching (M+) and non-mulching (M-). Sub-plots consisted of five compound fertilizer formulations with varying nutrient ratios: F1: Jintaineng (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 15-15-15), F2: Wanzhi Blend (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 13-8-9, containing 20% organic matter), F3: Sanning (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 22-8-10), F4: Sanning (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 14-16-15), F5: Jiuhekang+ (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 20-10-18). All fertilizers were applied at 1,125 kg·ha − 1 , with a non-fertilized control (F0), resulting in 12 treatments with three replicates. The potato cultivar Qingshu No.9 was planted in single-row ridges covered with 2-m-wide transparent polyethylene film. Each treatment comprised five ridges, with a plot area of 16.5 m² (6 m ×2.75 m), row spacing of 55 cm, plant spacing of 45 cm, and a density of 40,400 plants·ha − 1 . Planting occurred on 22 November 2022, with fertilizers fully applied as basal dose. Harvesting was conducted on 25 March 2023. Five uniform plants per plot were randomly sampled pre-harvest to assess tuber nutritional quality and plant nutrient accumulation. Yield was determined from the central three rows. Field management followed standard regional practices. 2.3 Measurement Protocols Each plot was harvested individually. Tubers were classified as small (< 50 g) or marketable (≥ 50 g), weighed separately, and used to calculate total yield and marketable tuber rate. Five representative plants per plot were dissected into leaves, stems, and tubers. Fresh weights of each component were recorded. Samples were deactivated at 105℃ for 30 min to terminate enzymatic activity and subsequently dried at 80℃ to constant weight for dry matter determination.The nitrogen content of plants was determined by H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O 2 digestion distillation method, the phosphorus content of plants was determined by H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O 2 digestion vanadium molybdenum yellow colorimetric method, and the potassium content of plants was determined by H 2 SO 4 -H 2 O 2 digestion flame photometry method. The soluble protein content was determined using the Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 staining method, and the ascorbic acid content was determined using the 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol titration method. 2.4 Calculation of Agronomic Indices Marketable Tuber Rate (%) = Weight of marketable tubers (≥ 50 g)/Total tuber weight×100% NHI/PHI/KHI (%) = nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) accumulation in tubers (kg·ha − 1 )/nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) accumulation in plant (kg·ha − 1 ) × 100 NUE/PUE/KUE(kg·kg − 1 )=nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) accumulation in plant (kg·ha − 1 ) /Pure nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) content in fertilizer(kg·ha − 1 ) NUtE/PUtE/KUtE(%)=[Accumulation of nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) in fertilized plants (kg·ha − 1 ) -Accumulation of nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) in unfertilized plants (kg·ha − 1 )]/Pure nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) content in fertilizer (kg·ha − 1 ) × 100 2.5 Data analysis All foundational data represent mean values after removing obvious outliers from both experimental sites. Data organization and graphical presentation were performed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Statistical analyses, including two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and simple effects analysis (for significant interactions), were conducted with SPSS 19.0. Multiple comparisons among treatments were evaluated using Duncan’s multiple range test at a significance level of α = 0.05. 3. Results 3.1 Effects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Potato Yield The application of compound fertilizers significantly improved potato yield, yield components, and marketable tuber rate (Table 2 ). Under both mulching and non-mulching conditions, all compound fertilizer treatments (F1-F5) exhibited higher values for tuber number per plant, single tuber weight, yield, and marketable tuber rate compared to the non-fertilized control (F0). Specifically, treatment F2 achieved the highest tuber number per plant and yield, which were significantly greater than other compound fertilizer treatments, with increases of 17.96% and 31.11% (mulching) and 18.91% and 33.85% (non-mulching) relative to F0, respectively. Treatment F5 showed the highest single tuber weight and marketable tuber rate, outperforming or significantly surpassing other treatments, with increments of 17.27% and 11.01% (mulching) and 15.98% and 11.17% (non-mulching) compared to F0. Mulching enhanced tuber number per plant, single tuber weight, yield, and marketable tuber rate. Under mulching, all six fertilizer treatments exhibited numerically higher tuber numbers per plant than non-mulching conditions, though the differences were not statistically significant. Except for F5, which showed a significantly higher single tuber weight under mulching, no significant differences were observed in single tuber weight between mulching and non-mulching for other treatments. However, both yield and marketable tuber rate of all compound fertilizer treatments under mulching were significantly higher than those under non-mulching. ANOVA revealed that mulching methods exerted highly significant effects on yield and marketable tuber rate (p < 0.01), but no significant impacts on tuber number per plant or single tuber weight. Compound fertilizer formulations significantly influenced all yield components, including tuber number per plant, single tuber weight, yield, and marketable tuber rate (p 0.05). Table 2 Effects of mulching methods and compound fertilizer formulations on potato yield and yield components Mulching methods Compound fertilizer formulations Tuber number per plant /piece Single tuber weight/g Yield/kg·ha − 1 Marketable tuber rate/% Mulching M+ F0 8.74 ± 0.29cd 96.56 ± 2.39d 32932.00 ± 26.38g 74.37 ± 0.19h F1 9.09 ± 0.11bc 108.75 ± 1.29bc 38622.11 ± 23.25cd 80.00 ± 0.27c F2 10.31 ± 0.21a 107.27 ± 1.21bc 43177.95 ± 38.41a 78.71 ± 0.04e F3 8.95 ± 0.22bc 106.57 ± 2.13bc 37246.06 ± 23.25e 77.91 ± 0.10f F4 9.14 ± 0.22bc 109.45 ± 3.21b 39059.11 ± 26.30c 80.29 ± 0.18c F5 9.36 ± 0.50b 113.24 ± 3.84a 41327.73 ± 69.74b 82.56 ± 0.20a Non-mulching M- F0 8.41 ± 0.20d 94.50 ± 2.04d 31007.45 ± 27.44h 73.26 ± 0.21i F1 8.93 ± 0.12bc 107.31 ± 0.65bc 37413.46 ± 16.34e 78.88 ± 0.24de F2 10.00 ± 0.21a 106.31 ± 1.60bc 41504.37 ± 19.28b 77.82 ± 0.12f F3 8.74 ± 0.11cd 105.13 ± 1.63c 35870.06 ± 17.27f 77.03 ± 0.16g F4 8.93 ± 0.19bc 108.40 ± 1.80bc 37785.32 ± 19.21de 79.21 ± 0.04d F5 9.21 ± 0.08b 109.60 ± 1.83b 39440.31 ± 69.76c 81.44 ± 0.39b F-value Mulching methods 1.951 0.093 7.843** 34.923** Compound fertilizer formulations 32.688** 39.706** 284.857** 1036.246** Mulching methods×Compound fertilizer formulations 0.163 0.324 0.555 0.479 Note: Data are presented as mean ± SD. Different lowercase letters following the data indicate significant differences among treatments (P < 0.05). * and ** denote significant differences at P < 0.05and P < 0.01 levels, respectively. The same applies below. 3.2 Effects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Nutrient Utilization Efficiency in Potato As shown in Table 3 , under both mulching and non-mulching conditions, among the five fertilizer formulations, treatment F4 exhibited significantly higher nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) compared to other treatments (except F2 under mulching, where the difference was non-significant). Treatment F2 showed the highest phosphorus uptake efficiency (PUE) and potassium uptake efficiency (KUE), surpassing all other treatments (p < 0.05). Similarly, F4 achieved the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE), while F2 demonstrated superior phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUtE) and potassium utilization efficiency (KUtE). All compound fertilizer treatments displayed higher nitrogen harvest index (NHI) than the non-fertilized control (F0). Notably, F2 had significantly greater phosphorus harvest index (PHI) and potassium harvest index (KHI) than other treatments, whereas F4 showed significantly lower PHI and KHI compared to F0. Mulching significantly enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake efficiencies (NUE, PUE, KUE) and utilization efficiencies (NUtE, PUtE, KUtE) across all fertilizer treatments compared to non-mulching (except for non-significant differences in NUtE for F4). Mulching also increased nitrogen harvest index (NHI), with significant improvements observed in F0, F3, and F5 (p < 0.05). Phosphorus harvest index (PHI) was significantly higher under mulching for all treatments, while potassium harvest index (KHI) increased under mulching, with significant differences specifically between F0 and F1. ANOVA indicated that mulching methods exerted significant or highly significant effects on NUE, PUE, KUE, NUtE, PUtE, NHI, PHI, and KHI (p < 0.05 or p 0.05). Compound fertilizer formulations significantly influenced all nutrient-related parameters (NUE, PUE, KUE, NUtE, PUtE, KUtE, NHI, PHI, KHI; p < 0.01). Interaction effects between mulching and fertilizer formulations were significant or highly significant for NUE, PUE, KUE, NUtE, PUtE, KUtE, NHI, and KHI (p < 0.05 or p 0.05). Table 3 Effects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Nutrient Utilization Efficiency in Potato Mulching methods Compound fertilizer formulations NUE/kg·kg − 1 PUE/kg·kg − 1 KUE/kg·kg − 1 NUtE/% PUtE/% KUtE/% NHI/% PHI/% KHI/% Mulching M+ F0 —— —— —— —— —— —— 61.11 ± 0.87e 76.75 ± 0.65d 76.23 ± 0.66cd F1 0.93 ± 0.01b 0.12 ± 0.01g 1.43 ± 0.01e 48.93 ± 0.94d 6.83 ± 0.10f 52.95 ± 1.17f 67.58 ± 0.76ab 79.55 ± 0.57b 76.85 ± 0.62bc F2 1.07 ± 0.01a 0.22 ± 0.01a 2.13 ± 0.03a 56.35 ± 1.33b 11.89 ± 0.27a 68.88 ± 2.56a 67.10 ± 0.39b 81.56 ± 0.27a 78.22 ± 0.30a F3 0.73 ± 0.01e 0.19 ± 0.01b 1.68 ± 0.01c 43.51 ± 0.41f 9.31 ± 0.13b 49.83 ± 1.24g 66.43 ± 0.37b 79.56 ± 0.27b 75.21 ± 0.31de F4 1.08 ± 0.01a 0.12 ± 0.01g 1.52 ± 0.01d 60.61 ± 0.49a 7.27 ± 0.06e 63.05 ± 1.10c 63.36 ± 0.59cd 75.59 ± 0.47ef 73.41 ± 0.51f F5 0.87 ± 0.02c 0.18 ± 0.01c 1.34 ± 0.03f 53.89 ± 1.78c 9.46 ± 0.38b 59.69 ± 1.83d 68.54 ± 0.34a 80.36 ± 0.25b 74.99 ± 1.01e Non-mulching M- F0 —— —— —— —— —— —— 56.64 ± 0.85f 75.14 ± 0.65f 74.54 ± 0.66e F1 0.78 ± 0.01d 0.09 ± 0.01i 1.13 ± 0.01h 46.04 ± 0.39e 4.85 ± 0.02h 47.63 ± 0.29h 67.35 ± 0.74ab 76.31 ± 0.61de 74.68 ± 0.64e F2 0.87 ± 0.01c 0.17 ± 0.01d 1.72 ± 0.01b 50.07 ± 0.34d 9.47 ± 0.05b 66.53 ± 0.48b 66.30 ± 0.57b 79.59 ± 0.41b 77.62 ± 0.44ab F3 0.61 ± 0.01f 0.15 ± 0.01e 1.42 ± 0.02e 39.09 ± 0.63g 7.58 ± 0.12d 43.83 ± 1.02i 64.37 ± 0.47c 78.02 ± 0.35c 75.12 ± 0.38e F4 0.94 ± 0.02b 0.10 ± 0.01h 1.33 ± 0.01f 60.14 ± 1.20a 6.07 ± 0.09g 59.90 ± 0.69d 62.60 ± 1.11d 72.95 ± 0.93g 73.01 ± 0.93f F5 0.73 ± 0.01e 0.14 ± 0.01f 1.21 ± 0.02g 48.99 ± 1.00d 7.94 ± 0.22c 55.98 ± 2.82e 66.20 ± 1.19b 77.96 ± 0.92c 74.58 ± 0.29e F-value Mulching methods 184.973** 211.592** 238.985** 8.028* 82.185** 4.29 12.343** 27.801** 4.916* Compound fertilizer formulations 1100.56** 1784.571** 1718.595** 338.264** 666.254** 305.597** 120.206** 94.206** 37.231** Mulching methods×Compound fertilizer formulations 14.615** 39.214** 64.812** 8.368** 10.009** 23.767** 6.452** 1.907 3.867* 3.3 Impacts of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Tuber Quality Traits of Potato : Soluble Protein Content, Ascorbic Acid Content, and Dry Matter Content All compound fertilizer treatments significantly enhanced tuber soluble protein content, ascorbic acid content, and dry matter content compared to the non-fertilized control (F0), regardless of mulching. Among the five fertilizer formulations, F1 exhibited the highest soluble protein content, with increases of 25.70% (mulching) and 23.88% (non-mulching) relative to F0 (Fig. 1 a). Treatment F4 achieved the highest ascorbic acid content, surpassing F0 by 85.75% (mulching) and 89.94% (non-mulching) (Fig. 1 b), and also showed the greatest dry matter content, exceeding F0 by 16.32% (mulching) and 15.62% (non-mulching) (Fig. 1 c). Under mulching conditions, soluble protein content was numerically lower than in non-mulching for the same fertilizer treatment, though differences were non-significant (p > 0.05). In contrast, ascorbic acid content under mulching was significantly higher than in non-mulching (p 0.05). 4. Discussion This study demonstrates that PFM significantly enhances potato yield and nutrient use efficiency in alpine regions of Southwestern China by regulating soil microenvironments. The core mechanisms lie in PFM-mediated improvements in soil hydrothermal conditions: (1) PFM reduces water evaporation, alleviates drought stress during tuber bulking, prolongs photosynthetically active periods, and promotes dry matter translocation to tubers (Zhang et al., 2020 ; Han et al., 2024 ) ; (2) PFM elevates soil temperature (particularly during early spring low-temperature phases), accelerates organic matter mineralization, increases available nitrogen and phosphorus release, and enhances urease and phosphatase activities (Liu et al., 2022 ; Huang et al., 2020 ; Y.Li et al., 2022 ), aligning with our findings of significantly improved nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiencies under mulching. The limited increase in tuber number per plant (< 4%) may relate to threshold effects in tuber initiation under large diurnal temperature fluctuations. When nocturnal temperatures persistently fall below 10℃, auxin (IAA)/gibberellin (GA3) ratio-regulated tuberization processes may be inhibited (Wang et al., 2024 ; Kim & Lee, 2019 ), a hypothesis requiring further hormonal profiling. The differential regulation of potato yield and quality by compound fertilizer formulations reflects the "limiting factor principle" of nutrient synergy. The yield advantage of F2 (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 13-8-9 with 20% organic matter) stems from its synchronized nutrient release dynamics with potato demand: organic matter enhances soil aggregate stability and water-nutrient retention during seedling establishment (Rabbi et al., 2020 ), while a low N:P ratio (1.63) prevents excessive vegetative growth, optimizing photosynthate allocation to tubers. This aligns with the physiological shift from nitrogen-demanding vegetative growth to potassium-dependent tuber expansion (Zheng et al., 2018 ; Grzebisz & Potarzycki, 2020 ). The high-K formulation F5(N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 20-10-18) significantly increased single tuber weight, corroborating potassium's role in activating H + -ATPase to facilitate photoassimilate transport (Ladyzhenskaya & Korableva, 2006 ; Weng et al., 2020 ). F4 (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 14-16-15), with elevated phosphorus, boosted ascorbic acid content by 85.75% through dual pathways: (i) phosphorus as an ATP/NADPH cofactor in the Smirnoff-Wheeler biosynthesis pathway (Blauer et al., 2013 ; Smirnoff & Wheeler, 2000 ), and (ii) phosphorus-mediated upregulation of PAP1 transcription factor, activating phenylpropanoid metabolism (Zvi et al., 2012 ; Zhang et al., 2010 ). The balanced formulation F1 (N-P 2 O 5 -K 2 O = 15-15-15) achieved the highest soluble protein content despite non-significant yield effects, highlighting nitrogen form and C-N metabolic balance in quality regulation (Jiang et al., 2024 ) . Notably, while mulching-fertilizer interactions showed non-significant effects on yield components, synergistic improvements in NHI and KHI were observed. This synergy likely arises from spatiotemporal optimization of nutrient availability: PFM extends the effective window of soil nutrient availability, while controlled-release fertilizers match stage-specific demands. Such "spatiotemporal coupling" proves critical in alpine regions with limited growing degree days and high leaching risks, achieving 68.88% potassium use efficiency in F2. From a sustainability perspective, F2's organic-inorganic integration elevated nitrogen use efficiency to 56.35%, substantially exceeding conventional single-element fertilizers (< 40%) (Swify et al., 2023 ; Mustafa et al., 2022 ), thereby mitigating environmental risks. This paradigm offers a scalable solution for "efficiency-driven input reduction" in ecologically fragile zones. 5. Conclusions In summary, PFM significantly enhanced potato yield and marketable tuber rate in alpine regions of Southwestern China while optimizing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake and utilization efficiencies. Among compound fertilizer formulations, organic-inorganic blended fertilizer (F2) exhibited the most comprehensive yield improvement. High-potassium formulations ( F5) favored single tuber weight and marketable tuber rate, whereas high-phosphorus formulations (F4) markedly increased tuber ascorbic acid content and dry matter content. Balanced nutrient ratios (F1) promoted soluble protein accumulation. The interaction effects between mulching and fertilizer formulations were element-specific, with synergistic enhancements observed in nitrogen and potassium harvest indices.For winter potato cultivation in alpine regions of Southwestern China, we recommend adopting either: PFM + Organic-inorganic compound fertilizer (F2) or PFM + High-potassium compound fertilizer (F5). These strategies synergistically improve yield and nutrient use efficiency while mitigating soil degradation risks associated with conventional practices. Abbreviations N , nitrogen; P , phosphorus; K , potassium; AN , Available nitrogen; AP , Available phosphorus; AK , Available potassium; ANOVA , Analysis of variance; PFM , Plastic film mulching; NUE/PUE/KUE , Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium Uptake Efficiency; NUtE/PUtE/KUtE , Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium Utilization Efficiency; NHI/PHI/KHI , Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium Harvest Index; OM , Organic matter; SD , Standard deviation; TN , Total nitrogen; TP , Total phosphorus; TK , Total potassium. Declarations Acknowledgments The authors gratefully acknowledge the Dazhou Agricultural Technology Extension Station for providing the experimental field. We sincerely appreciate Ms. Wenzhu Li, Senior Agronomist, for her technical guidance in field experiment management. Conflict of Interest The authors declare no competing interests. Funding This work was supported in part by the Sichuan Tuber Crops Innovation Team (SCCXTD-2024-9). Authors and Affiliations Xiao Zhang, Quanlu Zhou, Lisha Liu, Yi Yang & Jiangang An Nanchong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R China. Authors Contributions Conceptualization, X.Z. and J.A.; Data Curation, X.Z., Q.Z. and J.A.; Formal analysis, L.L.; Funding acquisition, Q.Z.; Investigation, X.Z., Y.Y. and J.A.; Methodology, X.Z., Y.Y. and J.A.; Supervision, L.L.; Writing—original draft, X.Z.; Writing—review and editing, X.Z. and J.A. Corresponding author Correspondence to Jiangang An. ORCID Xiao Zhang: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0034-3503 Quanlu Zhou: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2745-3199 Lisha Liu: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0728-0808 Yi Yang: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9367-2505 Jiangang An: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8944-8121 References Blauer, J. M., Kumar, G. N. M., Knowles, L. O., Dhingra, A., & Knowles, N. R. (2013). 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Mulching Practice Regulates the Soil Hydrothermal Regime to Improve Crop Productivity in the Rainfed Agroecosystem of the Loess Plateau in China. Agriculture, 15 (1), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15010076 Huang, C., Yang, W., Chen, Y., Han, X., Khan, S., Gao, Z., & Yang, Z. (2020). Ridge-furrow and film-mulching sowing practices enhance enzyme activity and alter fungi communities. Agronomy Journal, 112 (6), 4775-4787. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20417 Jiang, Z., Chen, Q., Liu, D., Tao, W., Gao, S., Li, J., Lin, C., Zhu, M., Ding, Y., Li, W., Li, G., Sakr, S., & Xue, L. (2024). Application of slow-controlled release fertilizer coordinates the carbon flow in carbon-nitrogen metabolism to effect rice quality. BMC Plant Biology, 24 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05309-9 Kim, Y.-U., & Lee, B.-W. (2019). Differential Mechanisms of Potato Yield Loss Induced by High Day and Night Temperatures During Tuber Initiation and Bulking: Photosynthesis and Tuber Growth. 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(2022). Effects of Plastic Film Mulching on Soil Enzyme Activities and Stoichiometry in Dryland Agroecosystems. Plants, 11 (13), 1748. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131748 Li, Y., Zhang, M., Lu, Z., Zhang, Y., & Wang, J. (2022). Effects of Irrigation Strategy and Plastic Film Mulching on Soil N 2 O Emissions and Fruit Yields of Greenhouse Tomato. Agriculture, 12 (2), 296. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020296 Ladyzhenskaya, E. P., & Korableva, N. P. (2006). The effect of thaumatin gene overexpression on the properties of H+-ATPase from the plasmalemma of potato tuber cells. Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, 42 (4), 409-413. https://doi.org/10.1134/s0003683806040120 Moreno, M. M., & Moreno, A. (2008). Effect of different biodegradable and polyethylene mulches on soil properties and production in a tomato crop. Scientia Horticulturae, 116 (3), 256-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2008.01.007 Mustafa, A., Athar, F., Khan, I., Chattha, M. U., Nawaz, M., Shah, A. N., Mahmood, A., Batool, M., Aslam, M. T., Jaremko, M., Abdelsalam, N. R., Ghareeb, R. Y., & Hassan, M. U. (2022). Improving crop productivity and nitrogen use efficiency using sulfur and zinc-coated urea: A review. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.942384 Rabbi, S. M. F., Minasny, B., McBratney, A. B., & Young, I. M. (2020). Microbial processing of organic matter drives stability and pore geometry of soil aggregates. Geoderma, 360 , 114033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.114033 Smirnoff, N., & Wheeler, G. L. (2000). Ascorbic Acid in Plants: Biosynthesis and Function. Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 35 (4), 291-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409230008984166 Swify, S., Mažeika, R., Baltrusaitis, J., Drapanauskaitė, D., & Barčauskaitė, K. (2023). Review: Modified Urea Fertilizers and Their Effects on Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE). Sustainability, 16 (1), 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010188 Wang, C., Shi, X., Liu, J., Zhao, J., Bo, X., Chen, F., & Chu, Q. (2021). Interdecadal variation of potato climate suitability in China. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 310 , 107293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107293 Wang, D., Chen, X., Tang, Z., Liu, M., Jin, R., Zhang, A., & Zhao, P. (2022). Application of humic acid compound fertilizer for increasing sweet potato yield and improving the soil fertility. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 45 (13), 1933-1941. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2022.2046064 Wang, H., Sun, J., Ren, H., Zhao, B., Zhang, J., Ren, B., & Liu, P. (2024). Heat-stress-induced fertility loss in summer maize ( Zea mays L.): Quantitative analysis of contributions from developmental and physiological damage to pollen. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 210 (3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jac.12710 Weng, L., Zhang, M., Wang, K., Chen, G., Ding, M., Yuan, W., Zhu, Y., Xu, W., & Xu, F. (2020). Potassium alleviates ammonium toxicity in rice by reducing its uptake through activation of plasma membrane H+-ATPase to enhance proton extrusion. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 151 , 429-437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.03.040 Yimer, A. H. (2022). Role of Combined Fertilizer Application on Soil Fertility, Growth and Yield of Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.): A Review. Agricultural Science Digest - A Research Journal, Of . https://doi.org/10.18805/ag.af-693 Zhang, P., Wei, T., Cai, T., Ali, S., Han, Q., Ren, X., & Jia, Z. (2017). Plastic-Film Mulching for Enhanced Water-Use Efficiency and Economic Returns from Maize Fields in Semiarid China. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8 . https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00512 Zhang, P., Wei, T., Han, Q., Ren, X., & Jia, Z. (2020). Effects of different film mulching methods on soil water productivity and maize yield in a semiarid area of China. Agricultural Water Management, 241 , 106382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106382 Zheng, H., Wang, Y., Zhao, J., Shi, X., Ma, Z., & Fan, M. (2018). Tuber formation as influenced by the C : N ratio in potato plants. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 181 (5), 686-693. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201700571 Zvi, M. M. B., Shklarman, E., Masci, T., Kalev, H., Debener, T., Shafir, S., Ovadis, M., & Vainstein, A. (2012). PAP1 transcription factor enhances production of phenylpropanoid and terpenoid scent compounds in rose flowers. New Phytologist, 195 (2), 335-345. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04161.x Zhang, Y., Yan, Y.-P., & Wang, Z.-Z. (2010). The Arabidopsis PAP1 Transcription Factor Plays an Important Role in the Enrichment of Phenolic Acids in Salvia miltiorrhiza. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58 (23), 12168-12175. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf103203e Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Potato Research → Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 29 May, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 16 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 15 May, 2025 First submitted to journal 13 May, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6661641","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":457554119,"identity":"31d080ff-b006-432c-b6f5-34881e690fe7","order_by":0,"name":"Xiao Zhang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchong shi nongye kexueyuan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xiao","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhang","suffix":""},{"id":457554120,"identity":"351a458f-5197-4acb-8aa0-50b0a3a19000","order_by":1,"name":"Quanlu Zhou","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchong shi nongye kexueyuan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Quanlu","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhou","suffix":""},{"id":457554121,"identity":"bc2dfc16-ae33-4866-a8ab-9418279f690d","order_by":2,"name":"Lisha Liu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchong shi nongye kexueyuan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lisha","middleName":"","lastName":"Liu","suffix":""},{"id":457554122,"identity":"9c155036-8764-492b-9463-e6752d3025e1","order_by":3,"name":"Yi Yang","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanchong shi nongye kexueyuan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yi","middleName":"","lastName":"Yang","suffix":""},{"id":457554123,"identity":"166b95d0-8528-4e47-a212-1ca95c4f7655","order_by":4,"name":"JianGang An","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAvklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFCCAyDChoefvYE0LWkykj0HSLPqsI3BDQci1fI3Hr/4ueDXeR6GGwyMHz7mEKFF4sCZYumZfbd5GGc3MEvO3EaMNQfOJEjz9tzmYZY5wMbMS4wW+QNnkn/z9pzjYZNIIFKLwYHjx6R5fhzg4SFai+GBM2zWvA3JPBI8B5uJ84vcjeOPb/P8sbO3P9588MNHorwvccaAgbENxGJsIEY9EPC3P2Bg+EOk4lEwCkbBKBiZAACwcTrDZAwnpgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8944-8121","institution":"Nanchongshi nongye kexueyuan","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"JianGang","middleName":"","lastName":"An","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-05-14 07:42:31","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6661641/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6661641/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-025-09949-8","type":"published","date":"2026-01-08T15:58:17+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":83150266,"identity":"d7f4123d-cf98-42fd-924e-32a757f9af64","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-20 13:43:50","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":150889,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEffects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Potato Tuber Quality. \u003cstrong\u003ea. \u003c/strong\u003eSoluble protein content of potato tubers under different treatments. \u003cstrong\u003eb. \u003c/strong\u003eAscorbic acid content of potato tubers under different treatments. \u003cstrong\u003ec. \u003c/strong\u003eDry matter content of potato tubers under different treatments. Different lowercase letters indicate significant differences (Duncan’s test, P \u0026lt; 0.05). Error bars represent±SD (n = 3).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6661641/v1/367c90c6951fb3e214cc6c3b.jpg"},{"id":100070356,"identity":"89336cb6-254b-42c8-9bf4-a3f889933c5f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-12 16:17:32","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1095900,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6661641/v1/93686de7-1d7d-4d56-aea6-fd73296ce895.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Plastic Film Mulching and Compound Fertilizer Ratios Synergistically Enhance Potato Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Alpine Regions of Southwestern China","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003ePotato (\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum L.\u003c/em\u003e), a dual-purpose crop for food and vegetable production, is characterized by broad adaptability and high economic returns. It serves as a vital cash crop in arid regions of Northwest China and high-altitude mountainous areas of Southwest China, playing a significant role in ensuring national food security and enhancing agricultural efficiency. The Dabashan region, a traditional potato-producing area in Sichuan Province, features high elevation, cool climates, significant diurnal temperature variations, ample sunlight, and distinct vertical climatic zones, providing optimal conditions for potato cultivation. However, winter potato planting and seedling stages in this region are frequently challenged by extreme weather events such as frost, cold waves, and heavy snowfall. Additionally, concentrated rainfall from June to September, coupled with severe frost damage and winter drought, critically restricts normal potato growth (Wang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) .\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlastic film mulching (PFM) has been widely adopted in early spring or high-altitude regions with low temperatures and insufficient accumulated heat due to its effectiveness in enhancing soil temperature, conserving moisture, increasing crop yields, activating soil nutrients, and improving water use efficiency (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e; Moreno \u0026amp; Moreno, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e; Zhang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; He et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Gu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). However, PFM increases production costs, and residual fragmented film residues negatively impact root development, water-nutrient transport, and crop productivity (Gu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, some local producers prefer direct soil covering for sowing. Furthermore, Sichuan, a major labor-exporting province, faces challenges from insufficient and aging agricultural labor, necessitating the exploration and adoption of simplified and refined cultivation practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompound fertilizers, containing two or more essential nutrients, efficiently meet crop nutritional demands. Diverse compound fertilizer formulations and nutrient ratios have significantly enhanced agricultural productivity, particularly due to their labor-saving advantages over single-element fertilizers, making them popular among farmers. Studies have demonstrated their efficacy in improving yield and quality in crops such as maize (G.Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), rice (Hu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), soybean (Cahyono et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), sweet potato (Wang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), and potato (Holmes \u0026amp; Shiles, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1980\u003c/span\u003e; Yimer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). While different compound fertilizer formulations show no significant effects on potato plant height, main stem number, stem diameter, tuber number per plant, or commercial tuber rate, they moderately influence tuber weight per plant and significantly affect overall yield (Gao et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Appropriate N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO ratios in compound fertilizers enhance stem diameter and branch number, thereby promoting tuber yield and quality (Cheng et al., 2024), though minimal impacts on tuber dry matter content have been observed (H.Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) .\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe proliferation of commercial compound fertilizer brands and formulations complicates decision-making for producers. Additionally, debates persist regarding the necessity of mulching in local potato cultivation. This study aims to elucidate the effects of mulching methods and compound fertilizer formulations on potato yield, quality, and nutrient use efficiency in alpine regions of Southwestern China, providing technical insights for fertilizer selection and high-yield winter potato cultivation in Sichuan.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Experimental Site Description\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe field trials were conducted at two locations: Houheyuan Village, Guandu Town, Wanyuan City (31\u0026deg;97\u0026prime; N, 108\u0026deg;20\u0026prime; E; elevation: 1,004 m); Qiaohe Village, Hongfeng Township, Xuanhan County (31\u0026deg;78\u0026prime; N, 105\u0026deg;76\u0026prime; E; elevation: 986 m). Pre-sowing soil nutrient content in the tillage layer (0\u0026ndash;20 cm depth) is summarized in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSoil Nutrient Content of the Experimental Site\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExperimental site\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTN\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTK\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAN\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003emg kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAP\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003emg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAK\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003emg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOM\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003epH\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHouheyuan Village, Guandu Town, Wanyuan City\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e144.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.91\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eQiaohe Village, Hongfeng Township, Xuanhan County\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e145.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Experimental Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA split-plot design was employed, with main plots assigned to two mulching treatments: plastic film mulching (M+) and non-mulching (M-). Sub-plots consisted of five compound fertilizer formulations with varying nutrient ratios: F1: Jintaineng (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;15-15-15), F2: Wanzhi Blend (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;13-8-9, containing 20% organic matter), F3: Sanning (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;22-8-10), F4: Sanning (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;14-16-15), F5: Jiuhekang+ (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20-10-18). All fertilizers were applied at 1,125 kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e, with a non-fertilized control (F0), resulting in 12 treatments with three replicates.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe potato cultivar Qingshu No.9 was planted in single-row ridges covered with 2-m-wide transparent polyethylene film. Each treatment comprised five ridges, with a plot area of 16.5 m\u0026sup2; (6 m \u0026times;2.75 m), row spacing of 55 cm, plant spacing of 45 cm, and a density of 40,400 plants\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e. Planting occurred on 22 November 2022, with fertilizers fully applied as basal dose. Harvesting was conducted on 25 March 2023. Five uniform plants per plot were randomly sampled pre-harvest to assess tuber nutritional quality and plant nutrient accumulation. Yield was determined from the central three rows. Field management followed standard regional practices.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Measurement Protocols\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEach plot was harvested individually. Tubers were classified as small (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;50 g) or marketable (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;50 g), weighed separately, and used to calculate total yield and marketable tuber rate. Five representative plants per plot were dissected into leaves, stems, and tubers. Fresh weights of each component were recorded. Samples were deactivated at 105℃ for 30 min to terminate enzymatic activity and subsequently dried at 80℃ to constant weight for dry matter determination.The nitrogen content of plants was determined by H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e-H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e digestion distillation method, the phosphorus content of plants was determined by H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e-H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e digestion vanadium molybdenum yellow colorimetric method, and the potassium content of plants was determined by H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e-H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e digestion flame photometry method. The soluble protein content was determined using the Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 staining method, and the ascorbic acid content was determined using the 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol titration method.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Calculation of Agronomic Indices\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarketable Tuber Rate (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Weight of marketable tubers (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;50 g)/Total tuber weight\u0026times;100%\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNHI/PHI/KHI (%)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) accumulation in tubers (kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)/nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) accumulation in plant (kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) \u0026times; 100\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNUE/PUE/KUE(kg\u0026middot;kg \u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)=nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) accumulation in plant (kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) /Pure nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) content in fertilizer(kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNUtE/PUtE/KUtE(%)=[Accumulation of nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) in fertilized plants (kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) -Accumulation of nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) in unfertilized plants (kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)]/Pure nitrogen (phosphorus, potassium) content in fertilizer (kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e) \u0026times; 100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.5 Data analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll foundational data represent mean values after removing obvious outliers from both experimental sites. Data organization and graphical presentation were performed using Microsoft Excel 2010. Statistical analyses, including two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and simple effects analysis (for significant interactions), were conducted with SPSS 19.0. Multiple comparisons among treatments were evaluated using Duncan\u0026rsquo;s multiple range test at a significance level of α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Effects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Potato Yield\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe application of compound fertilizers significantly improved potato yield, yield components, and marketable tuber rate (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Under both mulching and non-mulching conditions, all compound fertilizer treatments (F1-F5) exhibited higher values for tuber number per plant, single tuber weight, yield, and marketable tuber rate compared to the non-fertilized control (F0). Specifically, treatment F2 achieved the highest tuber number per plant and yield, which were significantly greater than other compound fertilizer treatments, with increases of 17.96% and 31.11% (mulching) and 18.91% and 33.85% (non-mulching) relative to F0, respectively. Treatment F5 showed the highest single tuber weight and marketable tuber rate, outperforming or significantly surpassing other treatments, with increments of 17.27% and 11.01% (mulching) and 15.98% and 11.17% (non-mulching) compared to F0.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching enhanced tuber number per plant, single tuber weight, yield, and marketable tuber rate. Under mulching, all six fertilizer treatments exhibited numerically higher tuber numbers per plant than non-mulching conditions, though the differences were not statistically significant. Except for F5, which showed a significantly higher single tuber weight under mulching, no significant differences were observed in single tuber weight between mulching and non-mulching for other treatments. However, both yield and marketable tuber rate of all compound fertilizer treatments under mulching were significantly higher than those under non-mulching.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eANOVA revealed that mulching methods exerted highly significant effects on yield and marketable tuber rate (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01), but no significant impacts on tuber number per plant or single tuber weight. Compound fertilizer formulations significantly influenced all yield components, including tuber number per plant, single tuber weight, yield, and marketable tuber rate (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01). Notably, no significant interaction effects were detected between mulching methods and fertilizer formulations on yield or its components (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffects of mulching methods and compound fertilizer formulations on potato yield and yield components\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching methods\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompound fertilizer formulations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTuber number per plant\u0026nbsp;/piece\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle tuber weight/g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYield/kg\u0026middot;ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarketable tuber rate/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eM+\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.39d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32932.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26.38g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.09\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.29bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38622.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;23.25cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e107.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.21bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43177.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;38.41a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.71\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e106.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.13bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37246.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;23.25e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.91\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e109.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.21b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39059.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26.30c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.29\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.50b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e113.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.84a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41327.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;69.74b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-mulching\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eM-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.04d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31007.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;27.44h\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21i\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e107.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37413.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;16.34e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.88\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.21a\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e106.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.60bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41504.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.28b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.82\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e105.13\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.63c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35870.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.27f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.03\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.80bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37785.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.21de\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e109.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.83b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39440.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;69.76c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching methods\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.951\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.093\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.843**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.923**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompound fertilizer formulations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.688**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.706**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e284.857**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1036.246**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching methods\u0026times;Compound fertilizer formulations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.163\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.324\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.555\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.479\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"6\"\u003eNote: Data are presented as mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SD. Different lowercase letters following the data indicate significant differences among treatments (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). * and ** denote significant differences at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05and P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01 levels, respectively. The same applies below.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Effects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Nutrient Utilization Efficiency in Potato\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs shown in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, under both mulching and non-mulching conditions, among the five fertilizer formulations, treatment F4 exhibited significantly higher nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE) compared to other treatments (except F2 under mulching, where the difference was non-significant). Treatment F2 showed the highest phosphorus uptake efficiency (PUE) and potassium uptake efficiency (KUE), surpassing all other treatments (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Similarly, F4 achieved the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE), while F2 demonstrated superior phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUtE) and potassium utilization efficiency (KUtE). All compound fertilizer treatments displayed higher nitrogen harvest index (NHI) than the non-fertilized control (F0). Notably, F2 had significantly greater phosphorus harvest index (PHI) and potassium harvest index (KHI) than other treatments, whereas F4 showed significantly lower PHI and KHI compared to F0.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching significantly enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake efficiencies (NUE, PUE, KUE) and utilization efficiencies (NUtE, PUtE, KUtE) across all fertilizer treatments compared to non-mulching (except for non-significant differences in NUtE for F4). Mulching also increased nitrogen harvest index (NHI), with significant improvements observed in F0, F3, and F5 (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Phosphorus harvest index (PHI) was significantly higher under mulching for all treatments, while potassium harvest index (KHI) increased under mulching, with significant differences specifically between F0 and F1.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eANOVA indicated that mulching methods exerted significant or highly significant effects on NUE, PUE, KUE, NUtE, PUtE, NHI, PHI, and KHI (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 or p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01), except for KUtE (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Compound fertilizer formulations significantly influenced all nutrient-related parameters (NUE, PUE, KUE, NUtE, PUtE, KUtE, NHI, PHI, KHI; p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01). Interaction effects between mulching and fertilizer formulations were significant or highly significant for NUE, PUE, KUE, NUtE, PUtE, KUtE, NHI, and KHI (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 or p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01), but non-significant for PHI (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffects of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Nutrient Utilization Efficiency in Potato\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"11\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching methods\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompound fertilizer formulations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNUE/kg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePUE/kg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKUE/kg\u0026middot;kg\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNUtE/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePUtE/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKUtE/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNHI/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePHI/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKHI/%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eM+\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66cd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.94d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.17f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.76ab\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.57b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.62bc\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e 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colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.69d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.11d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.95\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.93f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01f\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02g\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.99\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.00d\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.94\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.98\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.82e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.19b\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.96\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.92c\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching methods\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e184.973**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e211.592**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e238.985**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.028*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.185**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.343**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.801**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.916*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompound fertilizer formulations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1100.56**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1784.571**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1718.595**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e338.264**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e666.254**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e305.597**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120.206**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.206**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.231**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMulching methods\u0026times;Compound fertilizer formulations\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.615**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.214**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.812**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.368**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.009**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.767**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.452**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.907\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.867*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003e3.3 Impacts of Mulching Methods and Compound Fertilizer Formulations on Tuber Quality Traits of Potato : Soluble Protein Content, Ascorbic Acid Content, and Dry Matter Content\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll compound fertilizer treatments significantly enhanced tuber soluble protein content, ascorbic acid content, and dry matter content compared to the non-fertilized control (F0), regardless of mulching. Among the five fertilizer formulations, F1 exhibited the highest soluble protein content, with increases of 25.70% (mulching) and 23.88% (non-mulching) relative to F0 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003ea). Treatment F4 achieved the highest ascorbic acid content, surpassing F0 by 85.75% (mulching) and 89.94% (non-mulching) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003eb), and also showed the greatest dry matter content, exceeding F0 by 16.32% (mulching) and 15.62% (non-mulching) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003ec).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnder mulching conditions, soluble protein content was numerically lower than in non-mulching for the same fertilizer treatment, though differences were non-significant (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). In contrast, ascorbic acid content under mulching was significantly higher than in non-mulching (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Dry matter content under mulching significantly exceeded non-mulching for all treatments except F5, which showed no statistical difference (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study demonstrates that PFM significantly enhances potato yield and nutrient use efficiency in alpine regions of Southwestern China by regulating soil microenvironments. The core mechanisms lie in PFM-mediated improvements in soil hydrothermal conditions: (1) PFM reduces water evaporation, alleviates drought stress during tuber bulking, prolongs photosynthetically active periods, and promotes dry matter translocation to tubers (Zhang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Han et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) ; (2) PFM elevates soil temperature (particularly during early spring low-temperature phases), accelerates organic matter mineralization, increases available nitrogen and phosphorus release, and enhances urease and phosphatase activities (Liu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Huang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Y.Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), aligning with our findings of significantly improved nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiencies under mulching. The limited increase in tuber number per plant (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;4%) may relate to threshold effects in tuber initiation under large diurnal temperature fluctuations. When nocturnal temperatures persistently fall below 10℃, auxin (IAA)/gibberellin (GA3) ratio-regulated tuberization processes may be inhibited (Wang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Kim \u0026amp; Lee, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), a hypothesis requiring further hormonal profiling.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe differential regulation of potato yield and quality by compound fertilizer formulations reflects the \"limiting factor principle\" of nutrient synergy. The yield advantage of F2 (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;13-8-9 with 20% organic matter) stems from its synchronized nutrient release dynamics with potato demand: organic matter enhances soil aggregate stability and water-nutrient retention during seedling establishment (Rabbi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), while a low N:P ratio (1.63) prevents excessive vegetative growth, optimizing photosynthate allocation to tubers. This aligns with the physiological shift from nitrogen-demanding vegetative growth to potassium-dependent tuber expansion (Zheng et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Grzebisz \u0026amp; Potarzycki, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). The high-K formulation F5(N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20-10-18) significantly increased single tuber weight, corroborating potassium's role in activating H\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003e-ATPase to facilitate photoassimilate transport (Ladyzhenskaya \u0026amp; Korableva, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e; Weng et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). F4 (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;14-16-15), with elevated phosphorus, boosted ascorbic acid content by 85.75% through dual pathways: (i) phosphorus as an ATP/NADPH cofactor in the Smirnoff-Wheeler biosynthesis pathway (Blauer et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e; Smirnoff \u0026amp; Wheeler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e), and (ii) phosphorus-mediated upregulation of PAP1 transcription factor, activating phenylpropanoid metabolism (Zvi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Zhang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). The balanced formulation F1 (N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;15-15-15) achieved the highest soluble protein content despite non-significant yield effects, highlighting nitrogen form and C-N metabolic balance in quality regulation (Jiang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e) .\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNotably, while mulching-fertilizer interactions showed non-significant effects on yield components, synergistic improvements in NHI and KHI were observed. This synergy likely arises from spatiotemporal optimization of nutrient availability: PFM extends the effective window of soil nutrient availability, while controlled-release fertilizers match stage-specific demands. Such \"spatiotemporal coupling\" proves critical in alpine regions with limited growing degree days and high leaching risks, achieving 68.88% potassium use efficiency in F2. From a sustainability perspective, F2's organic-inorganic integration elevated nitrogen use efficiency to 56.35%, substantially exceeding conventional single-element fertilizers (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;40%) (Swify et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Mustafa et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), thereby mitigating environmental risks. This paradigm offers a scalable solution for \"efficiency-driven input reduction\" in ecologically fragile zones.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn summary, PFM significantly enhanced potato yield and marketable tuber rate in alpine regions of Southwestern China while optimizing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake and utilization efficiencies. Among compound fertilizer formulations, organic-inorganic blended fertilizer (F2) exhibited the most comprehensive yield improvement. High-potassium formulations ( F5) favored single tuber weight and marketable tuber rate, whereas high-phosphorus formulations (F4) markedly increased tuber ascorbic acid content and dry matter content. Balanced nutrient ratios (F1) promoted soluble protein accumulation. The interaction effects between mulching and fertilizer formulations were element-specific, with synergistic enhancements observed in nitrogen and potassium harvest indices.For winter potato cultivation in alpine regions of Southwestern China, we recommend adopting either: PFM\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Organic-inorganic compound fertilizer (F2) or PFM\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;High-potassium compound fertilizer (F5). These strategies synergistically improve yield and nutrient use efficiency while mitigating soil degradation risks associated with conventional practices.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e, nitrogen; \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e, phosphorus; \u003cem\u003eK\u003c/em\u003e, potassium; \u003cem\u003eAN\u003c/em\u003e, Available nitrogen; \u003cem\u003eAP\u003c/em\u003e, Available phosphorus; \u003cem\u003eAK\u003c/em\u003e, Available potassium; \u003cem\u003eANOVA\u003c/em\u003e, Analysis of variance;\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;PFM\u003c/em\u003e, Plastic film mulching; \u003cem\u003eNUE/PUE/KUE\u003c/em\u003e, Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium Uptake Efficiency; \u003cem\u003eNUtE/PUtE/KUtE\u003c/em\u003e, Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium Utilization Efficiency; \u003cem\u003eNHI/PHI/KHI\u003c/em\u003e, Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium Harvest Index; \u003cem\u003eOM\u003c/em\u003e, Organic matter;\u003cem\u003e\u0026nbsp;SD\u003c/em\u003e, Standard deviation; \u003cem\u003eTN\u003c/em\u003e, Total nitrogen; \u003cem\u003eTP\u003c/em\u003e, Total phosphorus; \u003cem\u003eTK\u003c/em\u003e, Total potassium.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgments\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors gratefully acknowledge the Dazhou Agricultural Technology Extension Station for providing the experimental field. We sincerely appreciate Ms. Wenzhu Li, Senior Agronomist, for her technical guidance in field experiment management.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work was supported in part by the Sichuan Tuber Crops Innovation Team (SCCXTD-2024-9).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors and Affiliations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiao Zhang, Quanlu Zhou, Lisha Liu, Yi Yang \u0026amp; Jiangang An\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNanchong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchong, Sichuan 637000, P.R China.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors Contributions\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eConceptualization, X.Z. and J.A.; Data Curation, X.Z., Q.Z. and J.A.; Formal analysis, L.L.; Funding acquisition, Q.Z.; Investigation, X.Z., Y.Y. and J.A.; Methodology, X.Z., Y.Y. and J.A.; Supervision, L.L.; Writing\u0026mdash;original draft, X.Z.; Writing\u0026mdash;review and editing, X.Z. and J.A.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCorresponding author\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorrespondence to Jiangang An.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eORCID\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eXiao Zhang: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0034-3503\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuanlu Zhou: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2745-3199\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLisha Liu: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0728-0808\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYi Yang: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9367-2505\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJiangang An: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8944-8121\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlauer, J. 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The Arabidopsis PAP1 Transcription Factor Plays an Important Role in the Enrichment of Phenolic Acids in Salvia miltiorrhiza. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58\u003c/em\u003e(23), 12168-12175. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf103203e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":true,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"potato-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"potr","sideBox":"Learn more about [Potato Research](http://link.springer.com/journal/11540)","snPcode":"11540","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/potr/default2.aspx","title":"Potato Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Potato, Plastic film mulching, Compound fertilizer ratios, Yield, Quality, Nutrient use efficiency ","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6661641/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6661641/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eTo elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of plastic film mulching and compound fertilizer formulations on winter potato production in alpine regions of Southwestern China, this investigation employed a two-factor split-plot design to evaluate the synergistic effects of five compound fertilizers (F1-F5) under contrasting mulching conditions [plastic film mulching (M+) vs. non-mulching (M-)] on yield formation, tuber quality, and nutrient use efficiency. Key findings revealed that plastic film mulching significantly improved potato yield (7.843, P\u0026lt;0.01) and marketable tuber ratio (34.923, P\u0026lt;0.01). Under mulching conditions, F2 (Wanzhi compound fertilizer: N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO =13-8-9 with 20% organic matter) increased tuber number and yield by 17.96% and 31.11%, respectively, under mulching. The F5 formulation (Jiuhekang+: N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO =20-10-18) achieved optimal single tuber weight and highest marketable tuber rate. Mulching significantly enhanced nutrient acquisition efficiency, with all fertilizer treatments showing substantially improved nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake and utilization rates compared to non-mulching conditions. Notably, the F4 treatment (Sanning: N-P\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e-K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO =14-16-15) attained peak nitrogen use efficiency (60.61%), while F2 exhibited maximum phosphorus and potassium utilization rates (11.89% and 68.88%, respectively) alongside optimal harvest index. Tuber quality analysis demonstrated that F4 significantly elevated ascorbic acid content (85.75% increase vs F0) and dry matter accumulation (16.32% enhancement). This study establishes that plastic film mulching combined with tailored compound fertilizers (particularly F2 and F5 formulations) effectively optimizes potato productivity, quality parameters, and nutrient use efficiency in high-altitude cultivation systems. The findings provide both mechanistic understanding and practical strategies for developing precision cultivation techniques in alpine potato production systems of Southwestern China, addressing critical challenges in sustainable intensification of tuber crops under marginal growing conditions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Plastic Film Mulching and Compound Fertilizer Ratios Synergistically Enhance Potato Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Alpine Regions of Southwestern China","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-20 13:43:45","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6661641/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2025-05-30T03:32:05+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-16T10:09:58+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-05-16T01:45:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Potato Research","date":"2025-05-14T03:41:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"potato-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"potr","sideBox":"Learn more about [Potato Research](http://link.springer.com/journal/11540)","snPcode":"11540","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/potr/default2.aspx","title":"Potato Research","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"7eceb846-9a34-49a7-9b94-ba6f75e04afa","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 20th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-01-12T16:12:50+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6661641","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-025-09949-8","journal":{"identity":"potato-research","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Potato Research"},"publishedOn":"2026-01-08 15:58:17","publishedOnDateReadable":"January 8th, 2026"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-20 13:43:45","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s11540-025-09949-8","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-025-09949-8","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6661641","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6661641","identity":"rs-6661641","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}