Abstract: 【Objective】This study is the first to make a large-scale assessment of the effect of the application of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers (EENF) on rice yield and plant N uptake quantitatively to provide a scientific basis for evaluating the economic benefits of EENF and promoting the use of EENF in China.【Method】A total of 48 peer-reviewed studies were collected in Chinese and English books and journals to establish a field experimental database, and a meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the response of rice yield and N uptake to EENF in China and to determine under what conditions EENF are the most effective. 【Result】 The results suggested that, on average, the application of EENF made rice yield and N uptake increase by 7.5% (95% CI: 6.7%-8.4%) and 10.5%(95% CI: 9.5%-11.4%) , respectively. In terms of factors, it was found that soil pH had a significant effect on rice yield and N uptake, which was increased by 10.5% and 18.8% in alkaline soils(pH≥7.5) which are more than that in acidic (pH≤6.5) and neutral soils (pH: 6.5-7.5). Coated slow/controlled release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF) was better than nitrification inhibitors, especially for N uptake, nitrification inhibitor had no effect on it, but CRF made it increase by 17.9% than conventional fertilization; EENF applied as basal fertilization was better than split fertilization, which increased rice yield and N uptake by 4.2% and 7.5% and they were less than as basal fertilization. Besides, mixing EENF with control fertilizer had equal effect, and it was labor-saving; the best practice for N rate was 120-180 kg•hm-2, which increased rice production and N uptake by 6.5% and 12.1%, respectively. At last, the application of EENF in northern China was better than in southern China, because it increased rice yield and N uptake by 3.4% and 3.0% more than in southern China.【Conclusion】The best practice in this study to increase rice yield and plant N uptake is to use EENF, especially the coated slow/controlled release fertilizers (applied into alkaline soil as basal fertilizer) when the total N rate is 120-180 kg•hm-2.Application of nitrification inhibitors, especially 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) is not suitable for paddy fields to increase N uptake in China. It seems that rice planting way (transplant or direct sowing) and fertilization methods of EENF (EENF only or mixed with conventional nitrogen fertilizers) have little difference in improving rice yield and N uptake. It may be better to apply EENF in northern China than southern China.

Key words: enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers (EENF) , rice , yield , nitrogen uptake , meta-analysis