Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China
Long-term excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers in sweet maize farmland in South China has led to low nitrogen absorption and high emissions of reactive nitrogen (RN). In this study, four kinds of organic materials, including maize straw, cow manure, biochar, and biogas residue, were applied...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Hongyan Hu Yun Chen Luyu Zhang Jiajun Lai Ke Chen Yuna Xie Xiaolong Wang |
| author_facet | Hongyan Hu Yun Chen Luyu Zhang Jiajun Lai Ke Chen Yuna Xie Xiaolong Wang |
| author_sort | Hongyan Hu |
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| description | Long-term excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers in sweet maize farmland in South China has led to low nitrogen absorption and high emissions of reactive nitrogen (RN). In this study, four kinds of organic materials, including maize straw, cow manure, biochar, and biogas residue, were applied to sweet maize farmland for three consecutive cropping seasons to substitute 20% of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. We compared the effects of different nitrogen substitution practices on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen surplus (NSP), and nitrogen footprint (NF) in farmland, with conventional fertilization as the control (CK). Results demonstrated that nitrogen substitution practices increased crop nitrogen uptake by 18.80–52.37%, NUE by 16.00–43.03%, and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFP<sub>N</sub>) by 46.18–74.31%, while reducing nitrogen surplus and loss by 7.84–21.84% and 12.08–42.88%, respectively. From a life cycle assessment perspective, nitrogen footprint per unit area (NF<sub>A</sub>) and per unit yield (NF<sub>Y</sub>) decreased by 13.64–32.24% and 34.26–47.64%, respectively. The results demonstrated that partial substitution with organic fertilizers improved nitrogen utilization as well as reduced nitrogen surplus, loss and, footprint in the sweet maize cropping system in South China. Biochar substitution achieved the most significant improvements. This study provides a research basis for nitrogen management in the sweet maize cultivation system in South China and valuable information for achieving sustainable agricultural development in typical subtropical areas in East Asia. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a6501d9b4ed14bc8974c1a79872e2d572025-08-20T02:17:14ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-04-0115880010.3390/agriculture15080800Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South ChinaHongyan Hu0Yun Chen1Luyu Zhang2Jiajun Lai3Ke Chen4Yuna Xie5Xiaolong Wang6College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaGuangzhou Nansha Assets Operation Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 511466, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaCollege of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, ChinaLong-term excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers in sweet maize farmland in South China has led to low nitrogen absorption and high emissions of reactive nitrogen (RN). In this study, four kinds of organic materials, including maize straw, cow manure, biochar, and biogas residue, were applied to sweet maize farmland for three consecutive cropping seasons to substitute 20% of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. We compared the effects of different nitrogen substitution practices on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), nitrogen surplus (NSP), and nitrogen footprint (NF) in farmland, with conventional fertilization as the control (CK). Results demonstrated that nitrogen substitution practices increased crop nitrogen uptake by 18.80–52.37%, NUE by 16.00–43.03%, and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFP<sub>N</sub>) by 46.18–74.31%, while reducing nitrogen surplus and loss by 7.84–21.84% and 12.08–42.88%, respectively. From a life cycle assessment perspective, nitrogen footprint per unit area (NF<sub>A</sub>) and per unit yield (NF<sub>Y</sub>) decreased by 13.64–32.24% and 34.26–47.64%, respectively. The results demonstrated that partial substitution with organic fertilizers improved nitrogen utilization as well as reduced nitrogen surplus, loss and, footprint in the sweet maize cropping system in South China. Biochar substitution achieved the most significant improvements. This study provides a research basis for nitrogen management in the sweet maize cultivation system in South China and valuable information for achieving sustainable agricultural development in typical subtropical areas in East Asia.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/800nitrogen substitutionnitrogen use efficiencynitrogen surplusnitrogen footprintsweet maize |
| spellingShingle | Hongyan Hu Yun Chen Luyu Zhang Jiajun Lai Ke Chen Yuna Xie Xiaolong Wang Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China Agriculture nitrogen substitution nitrogen use efficiency nitrogen surplus nitrogen footprint sweet maize |
| title | Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China |
| title_full | Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China |
| title_short | Effects of Different Nitrogen Substitution Practices on Nitrogen Utilization, Surplus, and Footprint in the Sweet Maize Cropping System in South China |
| title_sort | effects of different nitrogen substitution practices on nitrogen utilization surplus and footprint in the sweet maize cropping system in south china |
| topic | nitrogen substitution nitrogen use efficiency nitrogen surplus nitrogen footprint sweet maize |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/8/800 |
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