Table 1_Water–fertilizer coupling balances yield and the input-related carbon footprint in double-cropping greenhouse Hami melon.docx

W4F3 achieved the highest yields (75.74 and 52.79 t ha^-1 in spring and autumn, respectively) and plant carbon storage (up to 35.78 g C plant^-1). In the fitted SEM, yield was strongly negatively associated with product carbon-footprint intensity (β = −1.253, P < 0.001), whereas area-based emissions were positively associated with it (β = 0.729). Under low irrigation, increasing fertilization did not consistently increase yield, while adequate water enabled fertilizer inputs to be converted more effectively into biomass and yield.

Conclusion: Under the tested sandy-soil, cultivar and one-year greenhouse conditions, W4F3 (approximately 3420 m³ ha^-1 irrigation and 863 kg ha^-1 fertilizer) provided the most favorable balance between yield and product carbon-footprint intensity.</p>