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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2024, Vol. 23 Issue (5): 1671-1684    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.12.026
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Optimized nitrogen application for maximizing yield and minimizing nitrogen loss in film mulching spring maize production on the Loess Plateau, China

Qilong Song1, Jie Zhang1, Fangfang Zhang2, Yufang Shen1, Shanchao Yue1#, Shiqing Li1#

1State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China

2 Life Science Department, Luoyang Normal University, Luoyang 471934, China

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摘要  农业生产中过量使用氮肥 (高产目标驱动下)及其造成的环境问题正变得日趋严峻。本试验研究了3种施氮方法(固体颗粒尿素一次性(OF)或分二次施用(TF),固体颗粒尿素与控释尿素掺混一次性施用(MF))和6种施氮量(0、60、120、180、240和300 kg N ha-1)对黄土高原覆膜春玉米产量、经济效益、氮素利用效率和土壤氮素平衡的影响。田间试验采用裂区设计(完全随机区组设计),三种施肥方式为主处理,六个施氮量为副处理。结果表明,施氮量和施氮方式显著影响春玉米产量和经济效益。与OF处理相比,MF处理不仅提高了玉米产量(增产9.0%-16.7%),而且提高了经济效益(增收10.9%-25.8%)。氮素农农学效率(NAE)、氮素偏生产力(NPFP)和氮素回收效率(NRE)分别较OF处理显著提高19.3-66.7%、9.0 -16.7%和40.2-71.5%。2019年OFTF和MF的经济最优施氮率分别为145.6、147.2和144.9 kg ha-1, 2020年为206.4、186.4和146.0 kg ha-1。土壤表观氮素损失分别为97.1-100.5 kg ha-178.5-79.3 kg ha-150.5-68.1 kg ha-1。这些结果表明MF作为一次性施氮方法在黄土高原覆膜春玉米生产体系中能更低的氮素投入取得高产和高经济效益。

Abstract  

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.

Keywords:  maize yield       N management        economic optimal N rate        Loess Plateau   
Received: 01 July 2023   Accepted: 24 November 2023
Fund: The study was financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFD1900702 and 2021YFD1900700), the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi, China (2023-ZDLNY-52) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42077102). 
About author:  Qilong Song, E-mail: songql@ nwafu.edu.cn; #Correspondence Shanchao Yue, E-mail: yueshanchao@nwafu.edu.cn; Shiqing Li, E-mail: sqli@ms.iswc.ac.cn

Cite this article: 

Qilong Song, Jie Zhang, Fangfang Zhang, Yufang Shen, Shanchao Yue, Shiqing Li. 2024.

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