Assessment of Nitrogen Uptake and Biological Nitrogen Fixation Responses of Soybean to Nitrogen Fertiliser with SPACSYS

Lu Wu, Thomas H. Misselbrook, Liping Feng and Lianhai Wu
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Lu Wu: Sustainable Agriculture Systems, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK
Thomas H. Misselbrook: Sustainable Agriculture Systems, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK
Liping Feng: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Lianhai Wu: Sustainable Agriculture Systems, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: Chemical fertiliser nitrogen addition will inhibit biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) for soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr ) growth. The optimal balance of these two nitrogen input sources has been a key issue for sustainable development in Northeast China. We used the data collected from a four-year experiment with varied irrigation and fertiliser treatments from 2007 to 2010 to evaluate the SPACSYS (Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum SYStem) model. The validated model was run to investigate the responses to different management practices in seed yield, BNF, protein yield and soil nitrogen budgets. Scenario testing showed average yield increase of 2.4–5.2% with additional 50–100 kg N/ha application. Irrigation at the reproductive stage improved seed yield in drier years with an increase of 12–33% compared with the rain-fed treatment. BNF was suppressed by fertiliser nitrogen application and drought stress with a decrease of 6–33% and 8–34%, respectively. The average nitrogen budget without fertilization indicated a deficit of 39 kg N/ha. To attain higher seed yield, applying fertiliser at 25–30 and 15–20 kg N/ha before sowing is advised in drier and wetter years, respectively. To achieve a higher seed nitrogen content, an application rate of 55–60 and 45–50 kg N/ha is recommended for drier and wetter years, respectively.

Keywords: soybean; Northeast China; yield; biological nitrogen fixation; seed N; N budget (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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