The Application of Humic Acid Urea Improves Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Crop Yield by Reducing the Nitrogen Loss Compared with Urea

Baishu Kong, Qicong Wu, Yongqiang Li, Taochuan Zhu, Yufei Ming, Chuanfu Li, Chuanrong Li, Fenghua Wang, Shuying Jiao (), Lianhui Shi and Zhi Dong
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Baishu Kong: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Qicong Wu: College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Yongqiang Li: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Taochuan Zhu: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Yufei Ming: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Chuanfu Li: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Chuanrong Li: College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China
Fenghua Wang: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Shuying Jiao: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Lianhui Shi: College of Resources and Environment, National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, Shandong Agricultural University, No. 61 Daizong Street, Tai’an 271018, China
Zhi Dong: College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an 271018, China

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Enhancing nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE) and reducing urea N losses are major challenges in ensuring sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of humic acid urea on N losses, soil microbial nutrient balance and NUE through leaching experiments, soil incubation experiments and field experiments of maize-wheat rotation. We set up four N gradients (240 kg N hm −2 , 216 kg N hm −2 , 192 kg N hm −2 , 168 kg N hm −2 ) and two N fertilizer types (urea and humic acid urea) to make up five treatments, with no N application as the control. The results showed that humic acid urea reduced the fertilizer N losses by 25.51%, 23.07% and 23.08% in the three pathways of N leaching, NH 3 volatilization and N 2 O emission, respectively, compared with urea. Humic acid urea significantly increased soil ammonium N, nitrate N and available phosphorus contents, and brought the enzyme stoichiometry ratio closer to 1:1:1, which promoted microbial nutrient balance. Application of humic acid urea significantly increased yield, NUE and annual net economic profit of maize and wheat. Among all treatments, the application of humic acid urea at 216 kg N hm −2 maximized NUE, reduced environmental pollution and increased yield.

Keywords: NH 3 volatilization; N 2 O emission; inorganic N leaching; microbial nutrient balance; yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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