Apple and maize physiological characteristics and water-use efficiency in an alley cropping system under water and fertilizer coupling in Loess Plateau, China

Water, nutrient and light deficiency during the co-growth period are the major factors limiting the productivity of the apple–maize alley cropping system in Loess Plateau, China. Therefore, it is crucial to optimize the management of water and fertilizer in the region. The effects of different irrigation and fertilizer levels on photosynthetic characteristics, growth, yield, water consumption (ET) and water use efficiency were studied in a young...