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Optimizing nitrogen-fertilizer management by using RZWQM2 with consideration of precipitation can enhance nitrogen utilization on the Loess Plateau

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  • Ding, Dianyuan
  • Yang, Zijie
  • Wu, Lihong
  • Zhao, Ying
  • Zhang, Xi
  • Chen, Xiaoping
  • Feng, Hao
  • Zhang, Chao
  • Wendroth, Ole

Abstract

Crop yields are related to N fertilizer management, and also depend on local precipitation. Varying precipitation levels with long-term meteorological data have not been considered to optimize nitrogen (N) strategies in previous studies on the Loess Plateau of China. In this study, Root Zone Water Quality Model 2 (RZWQM2) was calibrated and validated using data from multi-year experiments and used to assess and optimize N management strategies for winter wheat cultivation. Results showed that the basal dressing fertilizer with 120 kg N ha-1 together with the topdressing of 67–77 kg N ha-1 was recommended in regions with 443 mm average annual precipitation. For those with 364 mm and 290 mm average annual precipitation, the basal dressing fertilizer with 90 kg N ha-1 together with the topdressing of 67–77 kg N ha-1 and the basal dressing with 90 kg N ha-1 together with the topdressing fertilizer of 13–23 kg N ha-1 were recommended, respectively. Compared with farmers’ practice (i.e., the single basal dressing), although decreasing the total rate by 12–18 kg N ha-1, the optimized N strategies (i.e., the basal fertilizer together with one-time topdressing) can effectively promote grain N uptake, nitrogen harvest index, and agronomic efficiency of N. It also maintained similar grain yield, evapotranspiration, and crop water productivity. The minimum precipitation threshold was around 300 mm, where the topdressing N fertilizer had little influence on grain yield, evapotranspiration, and grain N uptake. Additionally, the largest advantage of optimized N strategies was saving N fertilizer and reducing the environment footprint of wheat production. However, the crop production under the optimized N strategies was more sensitive to the precipitation variation than that under farmers’ practice. Thus, if climate continues to change following historical data, greater harvest fluctuations are expected under optimized N strategies. To cope with the evolving climate change, optimized N strategies should be integrated with other management measures for smallholder farming households on the Loess Plateau.

Suggested Citation

  • Ding, Dianyuan & Yang, Zijie & Wu, Lihong & Zhao, Ying & Zhang, Xi & Chen, Xiaoping & Feng, Hao & Zhang, Chao & Wendroth, Ole, 2024. "Optimizing nitrogen-fertilizer management by using RZWQM2 with consideration of precipitation can enhance nitrogen utilization on the Loess Plateau," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:299:y:2024:i:c:s0378377424002257
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108890
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