Can Split Application of Slow-Release Fertilizer Improve Wheat Yield, Nitrogen Efficiency and Their Stability in Different Ecological Regions?

Abstract

Environmental conditions (precipitation, temperature and soil properties) differ greatly in different regions and have dual effects on the wheat growth and nutrient release of slow-release fertilizer (SRF). Conventional fertilization methods such as the multiple-split application of urea and the one-time application of SRF may have difficulty achieving a stable and high wheat yield and nitrogen (N) efficiency in various environments. Therefore, the exploration of a rational application strategy of SRF is needed for improving wheat yield and its stability in different regions. A two-year field experiment was conducted in different regions (eight test sites per year) with five patterns: 100% N (270 kg ha−1) SRF applied pre-sowing (M1); 60% N SRF applied pre-sowing and 40% N urea applied at jointing (M2); 60% N SRF applied pre-sowing and 40% N SRF applied at re-greening (M3); M2 reducing the N rate by 15% (M4); M3 reducing the N rate by 15% (M5). The fourth-split application of urea was taken as the control (CK, 270 kg N ha−1). The results suggested that the average yield in M1 decreased by 3.65% of the CK, and the yield stability was poor. Both M2 and M3 significantly increased N efficiency, grain yield and benefit, but the stability of M3 was higher than that of M2 in different environments. Considering further improvements in wheat yield, N efficiency and profit, our results suggested that the twice-split application of SRF, which also improved the adaptability of wheat in different environments, could be recommended for wheat cultivation.

Optimizing Nitrogen Management in Maize (Zea mays L.) Using Urease and Nitrification Inhibitors

“…The results align with the study by Yang et al (2021) because the loam test soil exhibits trends that correlate with their ndings. As a result of a single application of NS, the inorganic N in the soil was kept at high levels before combining, but it decreased signi cantly due to N de ciency in later growth stages (Ma et al, 2022).…”

Wheat Quality Formation and Its Regulatory Mechanism

“…In wheat production, fertilization and watering strategies are also often considered for quality improvement ( Li et al, 2018 , 2019b ; Yu et al, 2018a , 2021 ). As nitrogen (N) is one of the most important and essential elements for wheat, N fertilizer is usually the most efficient input for simultaneously increasing grain protein content and grain yield in wheat production ( Zebarth et al, 2007 ; Malik et al, 2013 ; Zhen et al, 2018 , 2020 ; Zhong et al, 2018 , 2020 ; Ding et al, 2020 ; Xia et al, 2020 ; Hermans et al, 2021 ; Landolfi et al, 2021 ; Lyu et al, 2021 ; Dong et al, 2022 ; Liu et al, 2022 ; Ma et al, 2022 ). Kichey et al (2007) demonstrated that 50–95% of nitrogen in mature grains is derived from the remobilization of nitrogen stored in the tissues before anthesis.…”

Fine Soil Texture Is Conducive to Crop Productivity and Nitrogen Retention in Irrigated Cropland in a Desert-Oasis Ecotone, Northwest China

“…In the research of field crops, N leaching usually means the process of water-soluble nitrate (NO 3 − -N) in soil migrates down to the root active layer, entering the groundwater under the influence of heavy rainfall or irrigation [25]. In addition, N leaching also refers to a difference between the amount of total N inputs and N outputs and the N change in the soil profile.…”