Premium
Reducing Nitrogen Loss and Increasing Wheat Profits with Low‐Cost, Matrix‐Based, Slow‐Release Urea
Author(s) -
Yang Yang,
Yu Lixiang,
Ni Xiaoyu,
Yang Ye,
Liu Binmei,
Wang Qi,
Tao Liangzhi,
Wu Yuejin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj2017.06.0351
Subject(s) - urea , hectare , leaching (pedology) , fertilizer , nitrogen , agronomy , chemistry , field experiment , zoology , environmental science , biology , soil water , soil science , agriculture , ecology , organic chemistry
Core Ideas Application of matrix‐based urea increased grain yield by >11% in both sites. Agronomical efficiency and apparent recovery efficiency were greater in matrix‐based urea. Nitrogen leaching and NH 3 emission were lower in matrix‐based urea, leading to higher soil N availability. Net profits were >US$200 ha –1 greater in matrix‐based urea than in common urea treatment in both sites.Application of slow‐release fertilizer is beneficial for field wheat production. However, higher price largely limits its application. Therefore, development of low‐cost slow‐release fertilizers is necessary. We conducted a two‐site field experiment and three laboratory experiments in Hefei and Longkang in China during 2015–2016 wheat growing season. The objective was to assess the effects of novel matrix‐based slow‐release urea on wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) yields, plant N use, N loss, soil N availability, and net profits, and elucidate the possible mechanisms. Field experiment included three treatments, that is, the control test (CK), common urea treatment (CU), and matrix‐based urea treatment (MU). In CU and MU, urea was applied at 180 kg N ha −1 . Grain yields were significantly greater in MU than in CU in both sites, attributed to greater spike number per hectare and grain number per spike. Agronomical efficiency (AE) and apparent recovery efficiency (ARE) were also significantly greater in MU than in CU. Greater yields, AE, and ARE in MU were related to better plant development, that is, greater plant height, leaf area index, root area, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase. Better plant growth in MU was attributed to lower N loss risk via N leaching and ammonia emission and higher soil N availability. Net profits were >US$200 ha −1 greater in MU than in CU. Overall, matrix‐based urea is suitable for application in field wheat production in wheat growing regions such as Hefei and Longkang, with lower N loss and greater wheat profits.