Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil
Optimization of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is essential to achieve higher crop yields at lower environmental costs. This study investigated the impacts of N application rates (0, 180, and 360 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) on maize productivity, N use efficiency (NUE), NO<sub>3<...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1358 |
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| author | Yuanyuan Liu Yuanxue Chen Dandan Peng Huabin Lu Ting Shuai Ying Quan Chunling Zeng Kaiwei Xu |
| author_facet | Yuanyuan Liu Yuanxue Chen Dandan Peng Huabin Lu Ting Shuai Ying Quan Chunling Zeng Kaiwei Xu |
| author_sort | Yuanyuan Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Optimization of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is essential to achieve higher crop yields at lower environmental costs. This study investigated the impacts of N application rates (0, 180, and 360 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) on maize productivity, N use efficiency (NUE), NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching, cumulative N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, and N surplus in maize growing in the purple soil of Southwest China through a 2-year field study. The critical N rate balancing yield optimization with reduced NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions was identified. The results showed that grain yield initially increased linearly and then stabilized with increasing N rates, while NUE significantly decreased. NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching, N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, and N surplus exhibited quadratic increase. Regression analysis indicated that 158–163 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> achieved optimal yield while maintaining acceptable NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions compared to 360 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>. This range also enhanced NUE and minimized soil N residue. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1b0acfcbc39f4433a5707796dfd7f02b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-1b0acfcbc39f4433a5707796dfd7f02b2025-08-20T03:24:29ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-05-01156135810.3390/agronomy15061358Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple SoilYuanyuan Liu0Yuanxue Chen1Dandan Peng2Huabin Lu3Ting Shuai4Ying Quan5Chunling Zeng6Kaiwei Xu7College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaCollege of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, ChinaOptimization of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is essential to achieve higher crop yields at lower environmental costs. This study investigated the impacts of N application rates (0, 180, and 360 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>) on maize productivity, N use efficiency (NUE), NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching, cumulative N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, and N surplus in maize growing in the purple soil of Southwest China through a 2-year field study. The critical N rate balancing yield optimization with reduced NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions was identified. The results showed that grain yield initially increased linearly and then stabilized with increasing N rates, while NUE significantly decreased. NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching, N<sub>2</sub>O emissions, and N surplus exhibited quadratic increase. Regression analysis indicated that 158–163 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> achieved optimal yield while maintaining acceptable NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions compared to 360 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>. This range also enhanced NUE and minimized soil N residue.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1358maize grain yieldnitrogen use efficiencynitrogen surplus |
| spellingShingle | Yuanyuan Liu Yuanxue Chen Dandan Peng Huabin Lu Ting Shuai Ying Quan Chunling Zeng Kaiwei Xu Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil Agronomy maize grain yield nitrogen use efficiency nitrogen surplus |
| title | Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil |
| title_full | Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil |
| title_fullStr | Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil |
| title_short | Determining the Critical Nitrogen Application Rate for Maximizing Yield While Minimizing NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup>-N Leaching and N<sub>2</sub>O Emissions in Maize Growing on Purple Soil |
| title_sort | determining the critical nitrogen application rate for maximizing yield while minimizing no sub 3 sub sup sup n leaching and n sub 2 sub o emissions in maize growing on purple soil |
| topic | maize grain yield nitrogen use efficiency nitrogen surplus |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1358 |
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