Please wait a minute...
Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2026, Vol. 25 Issue (3): 903-917    DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2024.10.007
Crop Science Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Optimized application strategy of controlled-release nitrogen improves grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and lodging resistance of rice

Hao Wu1, Wenjiang Jing1, Yajun Zhang1, Ying Zhang1, Weilu Wang1, Kuanyu Zhu1, Weiyang Zhang1, Junfei Gu1, Lijun Liu1, Jianhua Zhang2, 3, Hao Zhang1#

1 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology/Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

2 Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China

3 State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China

 Highlights 
Controlled-release nitrogen (CRN)-urea integration improves rice yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and lodging resistance concurrently.
CRN-urea strengthens rice stems by increasing vascular bundles, silicon layer and carbohydrates.
70%CRN with 30% basal urea optimizes rice yield, NUE and lodging resistance.
Download:  PDF in ScienceDirect  
Export:  BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)      
摘要  

倒伏是制约水稻产量的一个重要因素。如何在避免倒伏的情况下实现水稻产量和氮利用效率协同提高一直是世界各国关注的焦点。本研究以籼粳杂交稻甬优2640和常规粳稻金香玉1号为材料,进行了为期两年的田间试验。设置6种不同的氮肥管理处理,即氮空白(T1)、常规尿素(T2)、控释氮肥(T3)、控释肥减氮(T4)、控释氮肥和尿素基肥一次施(T5)、控释氮肥尿素分期施(T6)。结果表明:与T2相比,控释氮肥配施策略(T5T6)下氮利用效率产量分别提高4.89 ~ 5.69%3.41 ~ 4.65%;控释氮肥配施策略能显著提高水稻基部第二节间茎秆中碳水化合物含量、节间折断弯矩、茎秆表皮硅层厚度、大小维管束数量、薄壁组织和机械组织厚度,同时降低节间长度、弯曲力矩和倒伏指数。上述结果表明,控释氮肥配施策略通过改善茎秆基部第二节间的形态学、力学理化特征以及解剖学特性,在提高茎秆强度的同时实现了水稻高产高效。



Abstract  

Lodging is a primary factor limiting rice grain yield.  Achieving synergistic improvements in grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) without increasing lodging risk has been a global research priority.  In this study, two rice cultivars - Yongyou 2640 (indicajaponica hybrid rice) and Jinxiangyu 1 (inbred japonica rice) - were evaluated in field experiments conducted over two growing seasons.  Six nitrogen management strategies were implemented: no nitrogen (T1), conventional urea (T2), controlled-release nitrogen (CRN) (T3), reduction of CRN (T4), CRN combined with single basal application of conventional urea (T5), and CRN combined with split applications of conventional urea (T6).  Compared with T2, the integrated nitrogen strategies (T5 and T6) increased NUE by 4.89–5.69% and grain yield by 3.41–4.65%.  These treatments also enhanced structural integrity of the second basal internode, evidenced by increased carbohydrate content, internode breaking strength, epidermal silicon layer thickness, number of large and small vascular bundles, and thickness of both parenchymatous and mechanical tissues.  Concurrently, internode length, bending moment, and lodging index were reduced.  Collectively, these findings indicate that integrating CRN with conventional urea improves morphological, mechanical, physicochemical, and anatomical properties of the second basal internode, thereby enhancing stem strength and enabling high yield and NUE without compromising lodging resistance.

Keywords:  rice (Oryza sativa L.)       nitrogen use efficiency       controlled-release nitrogen       stem       lodging resistance  
Received: 06 June 2024   Accepted: 24 September 2024 Online: 28 October 2024  
Fund: 
This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFD2300304), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32272197 and 32071944), the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, China (GRF 14177617, 12103219, 12103220, and AoE/M-403/16), the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (Strategic Collaborative Projects) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China, and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, China (PAPD).
About author:  #Correspondence Hao Zhang, Fax: +86-514-87979317, E-mail: haozhang@yzu.edu.cn

Cite this article: 

Hao Wu, Wenjiang Jing, Yajun Zhang, Ying Zhang, Weilu Wang, Kuanyu Zhu, Weiyang Zhang, Junfei Gu, Lijun Liu, Jianhua Zhang, Hao Zhang. 2026. Optimized application strategy of controlled-release nitrogen improves grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and lodging resistance of rice. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 25(3): 903-917.

Chen C, Chen Z, Chen M H, Zhang J X, Wang L W, Yan X B. 2023. Leaf cuticular waxes of bermudagrass response to environment-driven adaptations of climate effect inferred from latitude and longitude gradient in China. Chemistry & Biodiversity20, e202201104.

Chen L M, Yi Y H, Wang W X, Zeng Y J, Tan X M, Wu Z M, Chen X F, Pan X H, Shi Q H, Zeng Y H. 2021. Innovative furrow ridging fertilization under a mechanical direct seeding system improves the grain yield and lodging resistance of early indica rice in South China. Field Crops Research270, 108184.

Chen S, Elrys A S, Zhao C, Cai Z C, Zhang J B, Müller C. 2023. Global patterns and controls of yield and nitrogen use efficiency in rice. Science of the Total Environment898, 165484.

Cheng S, Xing Z P, Tian C, Li S P, Tian J Y, Liu Q Y, Hu Y J, Guo B W, Hu Q, Wei H Y, Gao H, Zhang H C. 2022. Effects of controlled release urea formula and conventional urea ratio on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of direct-seeded rice. Agriculture12, 1230.

Corbin J L, Orlowski J M, Harrell D L, Golden B R, Falconer L, Krutz L J, Gore J, Cox M S, Walker T W. 2016. Nitrogen strategy and seeding rate affect rice lodging, yield, and economic returns in the midsouthern united states. Agronomy Journal108, 1938–1943.

Ding C, Luo X K, Wu Q, Lu B, Ding Y F, Song J Z, Li G H. 2021. Compact plant type rice has higher lodging and N resistance under machine transplanting. Journal of Integrative Agriculture20, 65–77.

Etesami H, Jeong B R. 2018. Silicon (Si): Review and future prospects on the action mechanisms in alleviating biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety147, 881–896.

Fan C F, Li Y, Hu Z, Hu H Z, Wang G Y, Li A, Wang Y, Tu Y, Xia T, Peng L, Feng S. 2018. Ectopic expression of a novel OsExtensin-like gene consistently enhances plant lodging resistance by regulating cell elongation and cell wall thickening in rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal16, 254–263.

Gao H, Dou Z, Chen L R, Lu Y, Sun D, Xu Q, Sun R Y, Chen X Y. 2022. Effects of semi-deep water irrigation on hybrid indica rice lodging resistance. Frontiers in Plant Science13, 1038129.

Gui M Y, Wang D, Xiao H H, Tu M, Li F L, Li W C, Ji S D, Wang T X, Li J Y. 2018. Studies of the relationship between rice stem composition and lodging resistance. The Journal of Agricultural Science156, 387–395.

Guo Y Q, Ma Z T, Ren B Z, Zhao B, Liu P, Zhang J W. 2022. Effects of humic acid added to controlled-release fertilizer on summer maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency and greenhouse gas emission. Agriculture12, 448.

He W J, He B, Wu B Y, Wang Y H, Yan F Y, Ding Y F, Li G H. 2023. Growth of tandem long-mat rice seedlings using controlled release fertilizers: Mechanical transplantation can be more economical and high yielding. Journal of Integrative Agriculture22, 3652–3666.

Hirano K, Okuno A, Hobo T, Ordonio R, Shinozaki Y, Asano K, Kitano H, Matsuoka M. 2014. Utilization of stiff culm trait of rice smos1 mutant for increased lodging resistance. PLoS ONE9, e96009.

Hoang T N, Minamikawa K, Tokida T, Wagai R, Tran T X P, Tran T H D, Tran D H. 2023. Higher rice grain yield and lower methane emission achieved by alternate wetting and drying in Central Vietnam. European Journal of Agronomy151, 126992.

Hong W, Chen Y, Huang S, Li Y, Wang Z, Tang X, Pan S, Tian H, Mo Z. 2022. Optimization of nitrogen–silicon (N–Si) fertilization for grain yield and lodging resistance of early-season indica fragrant rice under different planting methods. European Journal of Agronomy136, 126508.

Huang Y Z, Ji Z, Tao Y J, Wei S X, Jiao W, Fang Y Z, Jian P, Shen C B, Qin Y J, Zhang S Y, Li S Q, Liu X, Kang S M, Tian Y N, Song Q X, Harberd N P, Wang S K, Li S. 2023. Improving rice nitrogen-use efficiency by modulating a novel monouniquitination machinery for optimal root plasticity response to nitrogen. Nature Plants9, 1902–1914.

Jing Z M, Chen J, Shi Y H, Li Y X, Yin Y P, Yang D Q, Luo Y L, Pang D W, Xu X, Li W Q, Ni J, Wang Y Y, Wang Z L, Li Y. 2017. Manipulation of lignin metabolism by plant densities and its relationship with lodging resistance in wheat. Scientific Reports7, 41805.

Kashiwagi T, Ishimaru K. 2004. Identification and functional analysis of a locus for improvement of lodging resistance in rice. Plant Physiology134, 676–683.

Li G H, Pan J F, Cui K H, Yuan M S, Hu Q Q, Wang W C, Mohapatra P K, Nie L X, Huang J L, Peng S B. 2017. Limitation of unloading in the developing grains is a possible cause responsible for low stem non-structural carbohydrate translocation and poor grain yield formation in rice through verification of recombinant inbred lines. Frontiers in Plant Science8, 1369.

Li L, He L X, Li Y Q, Wang Y F, Ashraf U, Hamoud Y A, Hu X, Wu T Y, Tang X R, Pan S G. 2023. Deep fertilization combined with straw incorporation improved rice lodging resistance and soil properties of paddy fields. European Journal of Agronomy142, 126659.

Liao P, Bell S M, Chen L, Huang S, Wang H Y, Miao J H, Qi Y M, Sun Y N, Liao B, Zeng Y J, Wei H Y, Gao H, Dai Q G, Zhang H C. 2023. Improving rice grain yield and reducing lodging risk simultaneously: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Agronomy143, 126709.

Liu Q H, Ma J Q, Zhao Q L, Zhou X B. 2018. Physical traits related to rice lodging resistance under different simplified-cultivation methods. Agronomy Journal110, 127–132.

Liu W Y, Fan X H, Liu Y Y, Bao S Y, Lu Y Y, Gai D S, Fu X K, Du J, Guo L Y, Zhang Q, Geng Y Q, Shao X W. 2023. Relationship between characteristics of basal internodes and lodging and its physiological mechanism in direct-seeded rice. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science209, 632–650.

Lv R J, Zhang W J, Xie X B, Wang Q J, Gao K G, Zeng Y H, Zeng Y J, Pan X H, Shang Q Y. 2022. Foliar application uniconazole enhanced lodging resistance of high-quality indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) by altering anatomical traits, cell structure and endogenous hormones. Field Crops Research277, 108425.

Okuno A, Hirano K, Asano K, Takase W, Masuda R, Morinaka Y, Ueguchi-Tanaka M, Kitano H, Matsuoka M. 2014. New approach to increasing rice lodging resistance and biomass yield through the use of high gibberellin producing varieties. PLoS ONE9, e86870.

Ransom C J, Jolley V D, Blair T A, Sutton L E, Hopkins B G. 2020. Nitrogen release rates from slow- and controlled-release fertilizers influenced by placement and temperature. PLoS ONE15, e0234544.

Salassi M E, Deliberto M A, Linscombe S D, Wilson Jr C E, Walker T W, McCauley G N, Blouin D C. 2013. Impact of harvest lodging on rough rice milling yield and market price. Agronomy Journal105, 1860–1867.

Su N, Ronga X M, Xie G X, Chang T, Zhang Y P, Peng J W, Luo G W. 2024. Effectiveness of a 10-year continuous reduction of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer on production, nitrogen loss and utilization of double-cropping rice. Science of the Total Environment912, 168857.

Sun C H, Wang Y, Yang X R, Tang L, Wan C M, Liu J Q, Chen C P, Zhang H S, He C C, Liu C Q, Wang Q, Zhang K, Zhang W F, Yang B, Li S C, Zhu J, Sun Y J, Li W T, Zhou Y H, Wang P R, et al. 2023. MATE transporter GFD1 cooperates with sugar transporters, mediates carbohydrate partitioning and controls grain-filling duration, grain size and number in rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal21, 621–634.

Sun Y, Mi W H, Su L J, Shan Y Y, Wu L H. 2019. Controlled-release fertilizer enhances rice grain yield and N recovery efficiency in continuous non-flooding plastic film mulching cultivation system. Field Crops Research231, 122–129.

Syros T, Yupsanis T, Zafiriadis H, Economou A. 2004. Activity and isoforms of peroxidases, lignin and anatomy, during adventitious rooting in cuttings of Ebenus cretica L. Journal of Plant Physiology161, 69–77.

Tian C, Zhou X, Liu Q, Peng J W, Wang W M, Zhang Z H, Yang Y, Song H X, Guan C Y. 2016. Effects of a controlled-release fertilizer on yield, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer usage efficiency in early ripening rapeseed (Brassica napus L.). Journal of Zhejiang University (Science B), 17, 775–786.

Trinh T H, Kushaari K, Shuib A S, Ismail L, Azeem B. 2015. Modelling the release of nitrogen from controlled release fertiliser: Constant and decay release. Biosystems Engineering130, 34–42.

Wang X D, Wang Y L, Zhang Y P, Xiang J, Zhang Y K, Zhu D F, Chen H Z. 2021. The nitrogen topdressing mode of indica-japonica and indica hybrid rice are different after side-deep fertilization with machine transplanting. Scientific Reports11, 1494.

Wang X Y, Xu L, Li X X, Yang G D, Wang F, Peng S B. 2022. Grain yield and lodging-related traits of ultrashort-duration varieties for direct-seeded and double-season rice in Central China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture21, 2888–2899.

Wu M K, Jiang H, Wei Z H, Li W C, Gao K Y, Wang D C, Wei X S, Tian P, Cui J J, Di Y T, Wu Z H, Yang M Y. 2023. Influence of nitrogen application rate on stem lodging resistance rice under dry cultivation. Agronomy13, 426.

Yang Y, Zhang M, Li Y C, Fan X, Geng Y. 2012. Controlled release urea improved nitrogen use efficiency, activities of leaf enzymes, and rice yield. Soil Science Society of America Journal76, 2307–2317.

Yuan M M, Sun Y X, Wang J B, Wu G, Hu P, Zhang X M, Wang W J, Jing Y D. 2022. Application of controlled-release compound fertilizer to mechanically dry direct-seeded rice increased rice biomass, nutrient accumulation and yield. Journal of Plant Nutrition46, 300–311.

Zhang G, Cui K H, Li G H, Pan J F, Huang J L, Peng S B. 2022. Stem small vascular bundles have greater accumulation and translocation of non-structural carbohydrates than large vascular bundles in rice. Physiologia Plantarum174, e13695.

Zhang H, Jing W J, Zhao B H, Wang W L, Xu Y J, Zhang W Y, Gu J F, Liu L J, Wang Z Q, Yang J C. 2021. Alternative fertilizer and irrigation practices improve rice yield and resource use efficiency by regulating source–sink relationships. Field Crops Research265, 108124.

Zhang J, Li G H, Song Y P, Liu Z H, Yang C D, Tang S, Zheng C, Wang S H, Ding Y F. 2014. Lodging resistance characteristics of high-yielding rice populations. Field Crops Research161, 64–74.

Zhang S G, Yang Y C, Zhai W W, Tong Z H, Shen T L, Li Y C, Zhang M, Sigua G C, Chen J Q, Ding F J. 2019. Controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer improved lodging resistance and potassium and silicon uptake of direct-seeded rice. Crop Science59, 2733–2740.

Zhang W J, Wu L M, Ding Y F, Weng F, Wu X R, Li G H, Liu Z H, Tang S, Ding C Q, Wang S H. 2016a. Top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer rate contributes to decrease culm physical strength by reducing structural carbohydrate content in japonica rice. Journal of Integrative Agriculture15, 992–1004.

Zhang W J, Wu L M, Ding Y F, Yao X, Wu X R, Weng F, Li G H, Liu Z H, Tang S, Ding C Q, Wang S H. 2017. Nitrogen fertilizer application affects lodging resistance by altering secondary cell wall synthesis in japonica rice (Oryza sativa). Journal of Plant Research130, 859–871.

Zhang W J, Wu L M, Wu X R, Ding Y F, Li G H, Li J Y, Weng F, Liu Z H, Tang S, Ding C Q, Wang S H. 2016b. Lodging resistance of japonica rice (Oryza sativa L.): Morphological and anatomical traits due to top-dressing nitrogen application rates. Rice9, 31.

Zhang W S, Liang Z Y, He X M, Wang X Z, Shi X J, Zou C Q, Chen X P. 2019. The effects of controlled release urea on maize productivity and reactive nitrogen losses: A meta-analysis. Environmental Pollution246, 559–565.

Zhao X Y, Zhou N, Lai S K, Frei M, Wang Y X, Yang L X. 2019. Elevated CO2 improves lodging resistance of rice by changing physicochemical properties of the basal internodes. Science of the Total Environment647, 223–231.

[1] Xiqiang Li, Yuhong Gao, Zhengjun Cui, Tingfeng Zhang, Shiyuan Chen, Shilei Xiang, Lingling Jia, Bin Yan, Yifan Wang, Lizhuo Guo, Bing Wu . Optimized nitrogen and potassium fertilizers application increases stem lodging resistance and grain yield of oil flax by enhancing lignin biosynthesis[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 659-670.
[2] Jiaxin Miao, Peipei Pan, Bingyu Liu, XiaowenYuan, Zijun Pan, Linsi Li, Xinyun Wang, Yuan Wang, Yongqiang Cao, Tianyuan Zhang. Research on grain supply and demand matching in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region based on ecosystem service flows[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 460-480.
[3] Fujing Pan, Xuan Yu, Yueming Liang, Peilei Hu, Kelin Wang, Wei Zhang, Qian Yang. Restoration boosts soil P-cycle multifunctionality in karst ecosystems by modulating soil properties and rare bacterial taxa[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 513-528.
[4] Meihui Wang, Wenqian Jiang, Yuxi Fu, Yi Wang, Xinliang Liu, Jianlin Shen, Feng Liu, Yong Li. Development of a smart device android-based decision support system for controlling non-point source nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in an agricultural catchment[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 565-576.
[5] Miaomiao Wang, Hongsong Chen, Wei Zhang, Kelin Wang. Variations and major driving factors for soil nutrients in a typical karst region in Southwest China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 424-435.
[6] Shunjie Zhu, Liangliang Xu, Chengzhong He, Yongxing Guo, Changqun Duan, Xin Jiang, Shiyu Li, Hailong Yu. Effects of land use type on soil organic carbon in different soil types[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(2): 540-552.
[7] Ligong Peng, Sicheng Deng, Wentao Yi, Yizhu Wu, Yingying Zhang, Xiangbin Yao, Pipeng Xing, Baoling Cui, Xiangru Tang. Partial organic fertilizer substitution and water-saving irrigation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in aromatic rice paddy by regulating soil microorganisms while increasing yield and aroma[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(1): 273-289.
[8] Qinghao Wang, Juan Hu, Weizhen Yu, Limin Gu, Peng Liu, Bin Zhao, Wenchao Zhen, Jiwang Zhang, Baizhao Ren. Shading and waterlogging interactions exacerbate summer maize yield losses by reducing assimilate accumulation and remobilization processes[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2026, 25(1): 92-104.
[9] Niu Wang, Weidong Zhang, Zhenyu Zhong, Xiongbo Zhou, Xinran Shi, Xin Wang. FGF7 secreted from dermal papillae cell regulates the proliferation and differentiation of hair follicle stem cell[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(9): 3583-3597.
[10] Ziqiang Che, Shuting Bie, Rongrong Wang, Yilin Ma, Yaoyuan Zhang, Fangfang He, Guiying Jiang. Mild deficit irrigation delays flag leaf senescence and increases yield in drip-irrigated spring wheat by regulating endogenous hormones[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(8): 2954-2973.
[11] Chenyang Wang, Yinuo Zhang, Qiming Sun, Lin Li, Fang Guan, Yazhou He, Yidong Wu. Species-specific evolution of lepidopteran TspC5 tetraspanins associated with dominant resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry1Ac[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(8): 3127-3140.
[12] Xiaoqing Wang, Wenjiao Shi, Qiangyi Yu, Xiangzheng Deng, Lijun Zuo, Xiaoli Shi, Minglei Wang, Jun Li. Well-facilitated farmland improves nitrogen use efficiency and reduces environmental impacts in the Huang-Huai-Hai Region, China[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(8): 3264-3281.
[13] Sinan Li, Junwei Pu, Xiaodong Deng. Agricultural land use transition under multidimensional topographical gradients and its impact on ecosystem service interactions[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(8): 3222-3241.
[14] Siriyaporn Chanapanchai, Wahdan Fitriya, Ida Bagus Made Artadana, Kanyaratt Supaibulwatana. Important role and benefits of Azolla plants in the management of agroecosystem services, biodiversity, and sustainable rice production in Southeast Asia[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(8): 3004-3023.
[15] Rumeng Wang, Jinsong Luo, Jian Zeng, Yingying Xiong, Tianchu Shu, Dawei He, Zhongsong Liu, Zhenhua Zhang. BjuB05.GS1.4 promotes nitrogen assimilation and participates in the domestication of shoot nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica juncea[J]. >Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025, 24(5): 1800-1812.
No Suggested Reading articles found!