Objectives Meta-analysis method was used to quantify the comprehensive effects of drip fertigation on the yield, water and fertilizer use efficiency and quality in vegetables and fruit trees in China, and the factors influencing the effects.

Methods The literature was searched from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data and Web of Science databases using the keywords “drip irrigation”, “fruit trees”, “vegetables”, “yield”, "water use efficiency”, “partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer” and “quality”. A total of 77 articles in the national database of drip irrigation and fertilisation were screened out, and 357 sets of valid sample data were obtained. Meta-analysis method was used to analyze the data.

Results On the whole country scale, the drip fertilization increased the yield of vegetable and fruits by 7.99% and 6.71%, the partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer by 48.9% and 63.1%, and water use efficiency by 50.6% and 119%, comparing with conventional fertilization practice, respectively. The promotion of drip fertigation on the quality of vegetables and fruit was significantly different, the Vc increment in vegetables was 17.3% higher than in fruits, but soluble solids reduction was 7.05% more in vegetables than in fruits. The effect of drip fertigation on yield, water and nitrogen utilization, and quality in vegetable and fruits varied, depending on N application rate, irrigation amount, crop type and cultivation condition. Drip fertigation was more effective in improving yield, water and nitrogen use efficiency, and quality of solanaceous and melon-fruit vegetables within N application rate of 200−400 kg/hm², irrigation amount 200−400 mm, and under greenhouse; and more efficient in those of deciduous fruit within N application rate of 150−300 kg/hm² and irrigation amount of 250−500 mm.

Conclusions Drip fertilization should be applied in solanaceous and melon-fruit vegetables in greenhouses and deciduous fruit trees.