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

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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.

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Significant acidification in major Chinese croplands.

J. -H. Guo, X. J. Liu, Y. Zhang … (2010)

Soil acidification is a major problem in soils of intensive Chinese agricultural systems. We used two nationwide surveys, paired comparisons in numerous individual sites, and several long-term monitoring-field data sets to evaluate changes in soil acidity. Soil pH declined significantly (P < 0.001) from the 1980s to the 2000s in the major Chinese crop-production areas. Processes related to nitrogen cycling released 20 to 221 kilomoles of hydrogen ion (H+) per hectare per year, and base cations uptake contributed a further 15 to 20 kilomoles of H+ per hectare per year to soil acidification in four widespread cropping systems. In comparison, acid deposition (0.4 to 2.0 kilomoles of H+ per hectare per year) made a small contribution to the acidification of agricultural soils across China.

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Producing more grain with lower environmental costs.

Xinping Chen, Zhenling Cui, Mingsheng Fan … (2014)

Agriculture faces great challenges to ensure global food security by increasing yields while reducing environmental costs. Here we address this challenge by conducting a total of 153 site-year field experiments covering the main agro-ecological areas for rice, wheat and maize production in China. A set of integrated soil-crop system management practices based on a modern understanding of crop ecophysiology and soil biogeochemistry increases average yields for rice, wheat and maize from 7.2 million grams per hectare (Mg ha(-1)), 7.2 Mg ha(-1) and 10.5 Mg ha(-1) to 8.5 Mg ha(-1), 8.9 Mg ha(-1) and 14.2 Mg ha(-1), respectively, without any increase in nitrogen fertilizer. Model simulation and life-cycle assessment show that reactive nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced substantially by integrated soil-crop system management. If farmers in China could achieve average grain yields equivalent to 80% of this treatment by 2030, over the same planting area as in 2012, total production of rice, wheat and maize in China would be more than enough to meet the demand for direct human consumption and a substantially increased demand for animal feed, while decreasing the environmental costs of intensive agriculture.