One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions
Simultaneously enhancing the crop yield and reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions presents a critical challenge in sustainable agriculture. The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is a key strategy to enhance crop yield. However, conventional N application practices often lead to excessive soil...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Plant Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1634174/full |
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| author | Muhammad Akhtar Wu Liuge Chen Jian Su Yuxiao Zheng Yuntan Lu Yulun Zheng Shanchao Deng Aixing Song Zhenwei Zheng Chengyan Zhang Weijian |
| author_facet | Muhammad Akhtar Wu Liuge Chen Jian Su Yuxiao Zheng Yuntan Lu Yulun Zheng Shanchao Deng Aixing Song Zhenwei Zheng Chengyan Zhang Weijian |
| author_sort | Muhammad Akhtar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Simultaneously enhancing the crop yield and reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions presents a critical challenge in sustainable agriculture. The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is a key strategy to enhance crop yield. However, conventional N application practices often lead to excessive soil N accumulation, insufficient crop N uptake and elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address these issues, this study evaluated the effectiveness of one-time double-layer fertilization of controlled-release urea (CRU) in improving wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and mitigating N2O emissions compared to single-layer fertilization. A two-year field experiment (2021-2023) was conducted with five treatments: zero N fertilizer (T0), one-time single-layer fertilization of urea at 8–10 cm soil depth (T1), one-time single-layer fertilization of CRU at 8–10 cm soil depth (T2), one-time double-layer fertilization of urea at 8–10 cm & 18–20 cm soil depth (T3), one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU at 8–10 cm & 18–20 cm soil depth (T4). The two-year average results indicated that one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU (T4) achieved the highest wheat yield (10.20 t ha-1) and NUE (19.13 kg kg-1), as well as the lowest N2O emissions (0.66 kg ha-1). Compared to single-layer CRU fertilization (T2), T4 increased wheat yield and NUE by 5.94% and 11.26%, respectively, while reducing N2O emissions by 22.50%. Furthermore, T4 optimized the soil microenvironment by lowering soil temperature and NO3−-N content at 0–10 cm depth, while enhancing soil moisture and NH4+-N availability at 10–20 cm, thereby promoting plant N uptake and utilization. These findings suggest that the one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU synchronizes N release with crop demand and regulates soil N dynamics, offering a promising strategy to boost wheat productivity and minimize environmental impacts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0e031c8108d40e3b8e2fad74dcdd831 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-462X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Plant Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0e031c8108d40e3b8e2fad74dcdd8312025-08-22T08:15:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-08-011610.3389/fpls.2025.16341741634174One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissionsMuhammad Akhtar0Wu Liuge1Chen Jian2Su Yuxiao3Zheng Yuntan4Lu Yulun5Zheng Shanchao6Deng Aixing7Song Zhenwei8Zheng Chengyan9Zhang Weijian10Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaDongping County Agricultural Bureau, Tai'an, ChinaDongping County Agricultural Bureau, Tai'an, ChinaDongping County Agricultural Bureau, Tai'an, ChinaDongping County Agricultural Bureau, Tai'an, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing, ChinaSimultaneously enhancing the crop yield and reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions presents a critical challenge in sustainable agriculture. The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is a key strategy to enhance crop yield. However, conventional N application practices often lead to excessive soil N accumulation, insufficient crop N uptake and elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address these issues, this study evaluated the effectiveness of one-time double-layer fertilization of controlled-release urea (CRU) in improving wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and mitigating N2O emissions compared to single-layer fertilization. A two-year field experiment (2021-2023) was conducted with five treatments: zero N fertilizer (T0), one-time single-layer fertilization of urea at 8–10 cm soil depth (T1), one-time single-layer fertilization of CRU at 8–10 cm soil depth (T2), one-time double-layer fertilization of urea at 8–10 cm & 18–20 cm soil depth (T3), one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU at 8–10 cm & 18–20 cm soil depth (T4). The two-year average results indicated that one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU (T4) achieved the highest wheat yield (10.20 t ha-1) and NUE (19.13 kg kg-1), as well as the lowest N2O emissions (0.66 kg ha-1). Compared to single-layer CRU fertilization (T2), T4 increased wheat yield and NUE by 5.94% and 11.26%, respectively, while reducing N2O emissions by 22.50%. Furthermore, T4 optimized the soil microenvironment by lowering soil temperature and NO3−-N content at 0–10 cm depth, while enhancing soil moisture and NH4+-N availability at 10–20 cm, thereby promoting plant N uptake and utilization. These findings suggest that the one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU synchronizes N release with crop demand and regulates soil N dynamics, offering a promising strategy to boost wheat productivity and minimize environmental impacts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1634174/fulllayered fertilizationcontrolled-release ureanitrogen use efficiencywheat yieldN2O emissions |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Akhtar Wu Liuge Chen Jian Su Yuxiao Zheng Yuntan Lu Yulun Zheng Shanchao Deng Aixing Song Zhenwei Zheng Chengyan Zhang Weijian One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions Frontiers in Plant Science layered fertilization controlled-release urea nitrogen use efficiency wheat yield N2O emissions |
| title | One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions |
| title_full | One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions |
| title_fullStr | One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions |
| title_full_unstemmed | One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions |
| title_short | One-time double-layer placement of controlled-release urea enhances wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates N2O emissions |
| title_sort | one time double layer placement of controlled release urea enhances wheat yield nitrogen use efficiency and mitigates n2o emissions |
| topic | layered fertilization controlled-release urea nitrogen use efficiency wheat yield N2O emissions |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1634174/full |
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