| This study aims to determine the effect of nitrogen application under wheat straw mulching on pear growth and fruit quality in dryland. From 2011 to 2012, the experiment was performed with four nitrogen treatments of different levels, being 1 kg (T1), 0.5 kg (T2) and 0.25 kg (T3) and CK
(without nitrogen input). Soil properties and leaf chlorophyll contents, vegetative growth, fruit yield and quality traits were analyzed. The results showed that the different N application reduced soil pH value significantly, improved soil calcium and zinc contents. N applications promoted leaf growth. N fertilizer significantly promoted shoot growth, leaf area and leaf weight and chlorophyll contents, with fruit yield of T1, T2, T3 being 25.4%, 17.0%, and 11.6% higher than that of CK, respectively. N fertilization decreased fruit soluble sugar, organic acid contents significantly. By contrast, quality parameters such as the fruit hardness, soluble solids, water contents were not significantly different anong treatments. |