Effects of N Management on Yield and N Uptake of Rice in Central China

Efficient N fertilizer management is critical for the economic production of rice and the long-term protection of environmental quality. A field experiment was designed to study the effects of N fertilizer management practices on grain yield and N uptake office. The experiment was laid out in the randomized complete block design with four replications in Central China during 2008 and 2009. Five N treatments denoted as No, NIsoA, N15oB, N24OA, and N24oB, respectively, were studied. NO represented no N application and served as a control, N15OA and N15oB indicated the total N application of 150 kg N ha-I but with two different application schedules （A and B） across the early stage of rice growth. Schedule A was applied as follows： 40% basal, 30% at 10 d after transplanting （DAT） and 30% at 36 DAT （nearly at the panicle initiation stage）, while schedule B was as follows： 30% at basal, 20% at 10 DAT, and 50% at 36 DAT. Similarly, N240A and N240B indicated the total N application of 240 kg N ha-1 with schedules A and B as described above. To quantify N uptake from fertilizer and soil, a 15N experiment was also conducted within the main experimental field, with micro-plots. Grain yields were significantly increased as N rates increased from 0 to 240 kg N ha-1. At the same rate, splitting N application as schedule B significantly increased the grain yield, spikelets per panicle, percentage of ripened grain, and 1 000-grain weight, compared with the N application according to schedule A. Mean rice recovery of N fertilizer by ~SN tracing method ranged from 25.39% at N24oA to 34.89% at NIsoB, however, N fertilizer residual rate in the soil ranged from 12.40% at N240A to 16.61% at N^s0w About 31.5 and 28.5% of total uptake of ~SN derived from basal fertilizer was absorbed at panicle initiation and heading stages, respectively. However, 65.6-92.5% of total uptake of 15N derived from topdressing fertilizer was absorbed at the heading stage. Based on yield and nitrogen recovery efficiency, splitting N application according to schedule B at the rate of 240 kg N ha-1 will be more profitable among the tested five N treatments in Central China.

Effects of Nitrogen Management on the Yield of Winter Wheat in Cold Area of Northeastern China

A plot experiment including four treatments, CK （N 105 kg ha-1 as urea, including a basal N application of 35 kg ha-I and a topdressing N 70 kg ha-1 at turned green stage） and optimized N management （OPT1, OPT2 and OPT3, applied two-thirds, one-third and two-fifths N at jointing stage, respectively, total N 60 kg ha-l）, was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen management on growth and N uptake of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum）, Dongnong 1, which is the first highly cold tolerant winter wheat in China. Index of population quality, N uptake and yield were determined. The ear-bearing tiller rate was increased by above 12%, and the leaf area index, biomass and N uptake were significantly decreased （P〈O.05） at jointing stage. OPT treatments increased the grain to leaf area ratio at heading stage, the dry matter weight and N uptake after heading by 14.3-27.9%, 11.6-28.7% and 118.1-161.8 %, respectively. The yield of the OPT treatments was increased by 14.2-37.5% compared with CK, and there was a significant difference （P〈0.05） between CK and OPT1 treatments. Harvest index and N partial factor productivity （PFP, kg grain yield per kg N applied） was clearly enhanced from 0.4 and 35.6 kg, respectively for CK to an average of 0.48 （P〈0.05） and 77.6 kg （P〈0.05） in the OPT treatments. These results indicated that the optimized N management increased the harvest index, yield and N use efficiency by decreasing the N application rate and postponing N application time, improved wheat population quality, controlled excessive growth in the vegetative stages and increased dry matter and N accumulation rates after heading.

Improving nitrogen management for zero-tillage rice in China

Zero-tillage has become increasingly attractive in rice production in China.This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of two possible improved N management practices with fewer N applications in zero-tillage rice:(1)two split applications of urea at75 kg N ha^(-1)at mid-tillering and 45 kg N ha^(-1)at panicle initiation(U_(120–2)),and(2)a single application of cross-linked polyacrylamide-coated urea(a slow-release fertilizer)at midtillering at a rate of 150 kg N ha^(-1)(PCU_(150–1)).Three field experiments were conducted to compare grain yield and N-use efficiency among several N treatments:a zero-N control(CK),U_(120–2),PCU_(150–1),a single application of urea at mid-tillering at a rate of 150 kg N ha^(-1)(U_(150–1)),and a commonly recommended N management practice for conventional tillage rice(three split applications of urea with 75 kg N ha^(-1)as basal,30 kg N ha^(-1)at mid-tillering,and 45 kg N ha^(-1)at panicle initiation)(U_(150–3)).Treatments with N application(U_(120–2),PCU_(150–1),U_(150–1),and U_(150–3))produced 1.08–3.16 t ha^(-1)higher grain yields than CK.Grain yields under both U_(120–2)and PCU_(150–1)were comparable to that in U_(150–3).Recovery efficiency of N(RE_N),agronomic N-use efficiency(AE_N)and partial factor productivity of applied N(PFP_N)were increased under U_(120–2)and were similar under PCU_(150–1)to those under U_(150–3).U_(150–1)showed lower grain yield,RE_N,AE_N,and PFP_Nthan U_(150–3).These results suggest that U_(150–3)can be replaced with U_(120–2)to achieve both an increase in N-use efficiency and a reduction in number of N applications and or by PCU_(150–1)to achieve a maximum reduction in number of N applications in zero-tillage rice production in China.

Hairy Vetch and Triticale Cover Crops for N Management in Soils

Over-application of fertilizer to cropland adversely affects both environmental and agricultural ecosystems. This study examined whether planting a legume-based winter cover crop mix offsets fertilizer application via natural nitrogen inputs. The influence of the cover crop mixture on available nutrients was also assessed. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and winter triticale (×triticosecale) cover crops were planted in fall and terminated in May. Soil fertility data was collected before and after planting the winter cover crop to determine the effect on fixing nitrogen and soil phosphorus, potassium and organic matter levels. Increases of soil ammonium were observed in plots with cover crop treatments. A triticale-hairy vetch cover crop mix was successful at scavenging P for future crops and appears to hold promise for long-term soil fertility benefits.

Optimized nitrogen application for maximizing yield and minimizing nitrogen loss in film mulching spring maize production on the Loess Plateau,China

Excessive use of N fertilizers(driven by high-yield goals)and its consequent environmental problems are becoming increasingly acute in agricultural systems.A 2-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three N application methods(application of solid granular urea once(OF)or twice(TF),application of solid granular urea mixed with controlled-release urea once(MF),and six N rates(0,60,120,180,240,and 300 kg N ha^(-1))on maize yield,economic benefits,N use efficiency,and soil N balance in the maize(Zea mays L.)film mulching system on the Loess Plateau,China.The grain yield and economic return of maize were significantly affected by the N rate and application method.Compared with the OF treatment,the MF treatment not only increased the maize yield(increased by 9.0-16.7%)but also improved the economic return(increased by 10.9-25.8%).The agronomic N use efficiency(NAE),N partial factor productivity(NPFP)and recovery N efficiency(NRE)were significantly improved by 19.3-66.7,9.0-16.7 and 40.2-71.5%,respectively,compared with the OF treatment.The economic optimal N rate(EONR)of the OF,TF,and MF was 145.6,147.2,and 144.9 kg ha^(-1) in 2019,and 206.4,186.4,and 146.0 kg ha^(-1) in 2020,respectively.The apparent soil N loss at EONR of the OF,TF,and MF were 97.1-100.5,78.5-79.3,and 50.5-68.1 kg ha^(-1),respectively.These results support MF as a one-time N application method for delivering high yields and economic benefits,with low N input requirements within film mulching spring maize system on the Loess Plateau.

A NEW APPROACH TO HOLISTIC NITROGEN MANAGEMENT IN CHINA

Since the 1980s,the widespread use of N fertilizer has not only resulted in a strong increase in agricultural productivity but also caused a number of environmental problems,induced by excess reactive N emissions.A range of approaches to improve N management for increased agricultural production together with reduced environmental impacts has been proposed.The 4R principles(right product,right amount,right time and right place)for N fertilizer application have been essential for improving crop productivity and N use efficiency while reducing N losses.For example,site-specific N management(as part of 4R practice)reduced N fertilizer use by 32%and increased yield by 5%in China.However,it has not been enough to overcome the challenge of producing more food with reduced impact on the environment and health.This paper proposes a new framework of food-chainnitrogen-management(FCNM).This involves good N management including the recycling of organic manures,optimized crop and animal production and improved human diets,with the aim of maximizing resource use efficiency and minimizing environmental emissions.FCNM could meet future challenges for food demand,resource sustainability and environmental safety,key issues for green agricultural transformation in China and other countries.

Effect of Nitrogen Regimes on Grain Yield,Nitrogen Utilization,Radiation Use Efficiency,and Sheath Blight Disease Intensity in Super Hybrid Rice

Poor nitrogen use efficiency in rice production is a critical issue in China. Site-specific N managements （SSNM） such as real-time N management （RTNM） and fixed-time adjustable-dose N management （FTNM） improve fertilizer-N use efficiency of irrigated rice. This study was aimed to compare the different nitrogen （N） rates and application methods （FFP, SSNM, and RTNM methods） under with- and without-fungicide application conditions on grain yield, yield components, solar radiation use efficiency （RUE）, agronomic-nitrogen use efficiency （AEN）, and sheath blight disease intensity. Field experiments were carried out at Liuyang County, Hunan Province, China, during 2006 and 2007. A super hybrid rice Liangyou 293 （LY293） was used as experimental material. The results showed that RTNM and SSNM have great potential for improving agronomic-nitrogen use efficiency without sacrificing the grain yield. There were significant differences in light interception rate, sheath blight disease incidence （DI） and the disease index （ShBI）, and total dry matter among the different nitrogen management methods. The radiation use efficiency was increased in a certain level of applied N. But, the harvest index （HI） decreased with the increase in applied N. There is a quadratic curve relationship between grain yield and applied N rates. With the same N fertilizer rate, different fertilizer-N application methods affected the RUE and grain yield. The fungicide application not only improved the canopy light interception rate, RUE, grain filling, and harvest index, but also reduced the degree of sheath blight disease. The treatment of RTNM under the SPAD threshold value 40 obtained the highest yield. While the treatment of SSNM led to the highest nitrogen agronomic efficiency and higher rice yield, and decreased the infestation of sheath blight disease dramatically as well. Nitrogen application regimes and diseases control in rice caused obvious effects on light interception rate, RUE, and HI. Optimal N rate is helpful to get higher light interception rate, RUE, and HI. Disease control with fungicide application decreased and delayed the negative effects of the high N on rice yield formation. SSNM and RTNM under the proper SPAD threshold value obtained high-yield with high efficiency and could alleviate environmental pollution in rice production.

Evaluation of Nitrogen Cycling Associated with Agricultural Production and Environmental Load in a Mountain Region,in Hokkaido,Japan

This study examined the nitrogen cycling associated with agricultural production and environmental load in central Hokkaido. The nitrogen (N) budget analysis model offers a new set of tools for evaluating N cycling in agro-ecosystems. The cycling index (CI) is a useful tool for estimating optimal N flows in farmlands. The fertilization index (FI) is a useful indicator for characterizing the N flows related to farms. Using these parameters, we analyzed all farm systems to estimate the optimal N cycling for minimizing N pollution in groundwater and maximizing agricultural production in mountain regions of Japan. The results showed that the critical N application rate (chemical fertilizer + manure) was 143.3 kg N ha-1 y-1. The critical inter-system input (chemical fertilizer N, imported food and feed N, and natural supplied N) was 169.2 kg N ha-1 y-1.

Validation of a Critical Nitrogen Curve for Summer Maize in the North China Plain

The concept of critical N concentration(N_c)has been widely used in agronomy as the basis for diagnosis of crop N status,and allows discrimination between field situations of sub-optimal and supra-optimal N supply.A critical N dilution curve of N_c=34.0W^(-0.37),where W is the aboveground biomass(Mg DM ha^(-1))and N_c the critical N concentration in aboveground dry matter(g kg^(-1)DM),was developed for spring maize in Europe.Our objectives were to validate whether this European critical N dilution curve was appropriate for summer maize production in the North China Plain(NCP)and to develop a critical N dilution curve especially for summer maize production in this region.In total 231 data points from 16 experiments were used to test the European critical N dilution curve.These observations showed that the European critical N dilution curve was unsuitable for summer maize in the NCP,especially at the early growth stage.From the data obtained,a critical N dilution curve for summer maize in the NCP was described by the equation of N_c=27.2W^(-0,27),when aboveground biomass was between 0.64 and 11.17 Mg DM ha^(-1).Based on this curve,more than 90%of the data for the N deficiency supply treatments had an N nutrition index(NNI)<1 and 92%of the data for the N excess supply treatments had an NNI>1.

Elucidating Variations in Nitrogen Requirement According to Yield, Variety and Cropping System for Chinese Rice Production

Better understanding of the factors that influence crop nitrogen(N) requirement plays an important role in improving regional N recommendations for rice(Oryza sativa L.) production. We collected data from 1 280 plot-level measurements in different reaches of the Yangtze River, China to determine which factors contributed to variability in N requirement in rice. Yield, variety, and cropping system were significantly related to N requirement. The N requirement remained consistent at about 18.6 kg N Mg^(-1)grain as grain yield increased from 7 to 9 Mg ha^(-1), then decreased to 18.1, 16.9, and 15.9 kg N Mg^(-1)grain as yield increased to 9–10, 10–11, and > 11 Mg ha^(-1), respectively. The decreased requirement for N with increasing yield was attributable to declining N concentrations in grain and straw and increased harvest index. Super rice variety had lower N requirement(17.7 kg N Mg^(-1)grain) than ordinary inbred and hybrid varieties(18.5 and 18.3 kg N Mg^(-1)grain, respectively), which was a result of lower grain and straw N concentrations of super rice. The N requirements were 19.2, 17.8, and 17.5 kg N Mg^(-1)grain for early, middle, and late rice cropping systems, respectively. In conclusion, the rice N requirement was affected by multiple factors, including yield, variety, and cropping system, all of which should be considered when planning for optimal N management.

Interactive effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen fertilization levels on photosynthesized carbon allocation in a temperate spring wheat and soil system

Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration impacts the terrestrial carbon(C) cycle by affecting plant photosynthesis, the flow of photosynthetically fixed C belowground, and soil C pool turnover. For managed agroecosystems, how and to what extent the interactions between elevated CO2 and N fertilization levels influence the accumulation of photosynthesized C in crops and the incorporation of photosynthesized C into arable soil are in urgent need of exploration.We conducted an experiment simulating elevated CO2 with spring wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) planted in growth chambers.13C-enriched CO2 with an identical 13C abundance was continuously supplied at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations(350 and 600 μmol mol-1, respectively) until wheat harvest.Three levels of N fertilizer application(equivalent to 80, 120, and 180 kg N ha-1 soil) were supplied for wheat growth at both CO2 concentrations. During the continuous 62-d 13CO2 labeling period, elevated CO2 and increased N fertilizer application increased photosynthesized C accumulation in wheat by 14%–24% and 11%–20%, respectively, as indicated by increased biomass production, whereas the C/N ratio in the roots increased under elevated CO2 but declined with increasing N fertilizer application levels. Wheat root deposition induced 1%–2.5% renewal of soil C after 62 d of 13CO2 labeling. Compared to ambient CO2, elevated CO2 increased the amount of photosynthesized C incorporated into soil by 20%–44%. However, higher application rates of N fertilizer reduced the net input of root-derived C in soil by approximately 8% under elevated CO2. For the wheat-soil system, elevated CO2 and increased N fertilizer application levels synergistically increased the amount of photosynthesized C. The pivotal role of plants in photosynthesized C accumulation under elevated CO2 was thereby enhanced in the short term by the increased N application. Therefore, robust N management could mediate C cycling and sequestration by influencing the interactions between plants and soil in agroecosystems under elevated CO2.

Managed grassland alters soil N dynamics and N2O emissions in temperate steppe

Reclamation of degraded grasslands as managed grasslands has been increasingly accelerated in recent years in China. Land use change affects soil nitrogen（N） dynamics and nitrous oxide（N2O） emissions. However, it remains unclear how large-scale grassland reclamation will impact the grassland ecosystem as a whole. Here, we investigated the effects of the conversion from native to managed grasslands on soil N dynamics and N2O emissions by field experiments in Hulunber in northern China. Soil（0-10 cm）, nitrate（NO3-）,ammonium（NH4＋）, and microbial N were measured in plots in a temperate steppe（Leymus chinensis grassland） and two managed grasslands（Medicago sativa and Bromus inermis grasslands） in 2011 and 2012. The results showed conversion of L. chinensis grassland to M.sativa or B. inermis grasslands decreased concentrations of NO3--N, but did not change NH4-N . Soil microbial N was slightly decreased by the conversion of L. chinensis grassland to M.sativa, but increased by the conversion to B. inermis. The conversion of L. chinensis grassland to M. sativa（i.e., a legume grass） increased N2O emissions by 26.2%, while the conversion to the B. inermis（i.e., a non-legume grass） reduced N2O emissions by 33.1%. The conversion from native to managed grasslands caused large created variations in soil NO3-＋-N and NH4-N concentrations. Net N mineralization rates did not change significantly in growing season or vegetation type, but to net nitrification rate. These results provide evidence on how reclamation may impact the grassland ecosystem in terms of N dynamics and N2O emissions.