Nitrogen Fertilizer Management for Enhancing Crop Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in a Rice-Oilseed Rape Rotation System in China

Abstract

The use of efficient rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is important with regard to increasing crop productivity and maintaining environmental sustainability. Rice-oilseed rape rotations are a mainstay of the economy and food security of China. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out during 2011–2013 in Honghu to identify the most appropriate N application rates for enhancing crop productivity and N use efficiency for rice (Oryza sativa L.)-oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) rotations. Six N fertilizer treatments (RO1, RO2, RO3, RO4, RO5, and RO6) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. ROx represented the N fertilizer application rates (kg ha−1) for rice and oilseed rape, respectively. Grain yields from plots receiving N fertilizer were significantly increased by 59–71% (rice) and 109–160% (oilseed rape) during the total rotation (2011–2013), as compared to RO1 (control; no application). Furthermore, a similar trend was observed for N accumulation, ranging from 88 to 125% and 134 to 200% in aerial parts of rice and oilseed rape, respectively. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was significantly higher (38.5%) under RO2 and lower (34.2%) under RO6 while apparent N balance (ANB) was positively lowest under R05 (183.4 kg ha−1) followed by R02 (234.2 kg ha−1) and highest under R06 (344.5 kg ha−1) during the total rotation. The results of grain yield, NUE, and ANB indicated that the R02 rate of N application was superior. This information should help to develop a cost-effective and environment-friendly N management strategy for rice-oilseed rape rotation systems of central China.

Effects of Insect-Proof Net Cultivation, Rice-Duck Farming, and Organic Matter Return on Rice Dry Matter Accumulation and Nitrogen Utilization

“…N is an indispensable nutrient for rice growth, and the supply of N strongly regulates rice yield (Yousaf et al, 2016), N absorption and translocation. The chlorophyll content of rice leaves is an active component of N utilization and is closely related to leaf photosynthetic ability (Shiratsuchi et al, 2006; Ata-Ul-Karim et al, 2016).…”

Nitrogen Source and Rate Management Improve Maize Productivity of Smallholders under Semiarid Climates

“…Khatun et al (2012) and Sampath et al (2013) revealed that stover yield in maize increases with increasing N rate. According to Yousaf et al (2016), for a sustainable crop production continuous renewal of soil fertility through a balance between N demand and supply in cropping systems is important. Guo et al (2016) reported that N is the most yield-restraining nutrient in crop production globally.…”

“…Therefore, it has become of foremost importance to select high yielding varieties and genotypes that can uptake and utilize nitrogen more efficiently (Hirel et al, 2001). Efficient nitrogen fertilizer management is essential for achieving economic yields and for enhancing N use efficiency (Pan et al, 2012; Yousaf et al, 2014). Selection of high yielding cultivars is important for food security and growers incomes (Geiger, 2009).…”

“…This experiment was conducted with an overall objective to find the best level and best source of N fertilizer for improving yield and yield components of maize genotypes. Sustainable crop production relies on the continuous renewal of soil fertility through a balance between N demand and supply in cropping systems (Yousaf et al, 2016). Better management of high yielding crops with lower N loss is desperately needed to achieve sustainable agriculture (Duan et al, 2014).…”

Development of Chlorophyll-Meter-Index-Based Dynamic Models for Evaluation of High-Yield Japonica Rice Production in Yangtze River Reaches

“…Yield-target-based N fertilization plays an important role when developing profitable and environmentally friendly rice production systems (which is good in environment protection during field production) [4,5]. Accurate and remote in-season estimation of crop N status and its site-specific applications in intensive rice cropping systems is challenging [6]. Rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective N diagnostic tools are imperative for accurate and timely diagnosis of rice N status at critical growth stages-it is imperative to match N requirements to soil N supply [2,3].…”