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Controlled-Release Urea Coordinates Maize Physiology with Soil Nitrogen Retention: Balancing High Yield and Environmental Sustainability

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  • Wei Yan

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
    National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Meng Huang

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Huiqing Yang

    (Binzhou Agricultural Technology Promotion Center, Binzhou 256600, China)

  • Zhonghua Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
    National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Shujuan Sun

    (Binzhou Agricultural Technology Promotion Center, Binzhou 256600, China)

  • Yinshan Xie

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Jinbian Sun

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Qiong Li

    (National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Bo Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Chengcheng Gao

    (National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Yanfang Xue

    (National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Maize Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

  • Kaichang Liu

    (State Key Laboratory of Nutrient Use and Management, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China)

Abstract

Controlled-release urea (CRU) can improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency and yield, but comprehensive evaluations of its agronomic, physiological, and environmental impacts remain limited. Through a two-year field experiment comparing three CRU types with conventional urea at five N rates (0-280 kg N ha −1 ), we demonstrate that CRU at 180 kg N ha −1 maintained high maize yields (13.9 Mg ha −1 ) while improving N use efficiency, with thermosetting polymer-coated samples (TCU) showing superior performance. There was a significant increase in the net photosynthetic rate by 7.9–32.7% and intercellular CO 2 concentration by 20.6–40.0% under CRU treatments during the silking and milking stages. The CRU treatments also sustained optimal levels of hormones, N metabolism enzymes, and sucrase and urease activities. Compared to common urea, life cycle assessment indicates that CRU has achieved a 47.5% reduction in reactive N losses and an 18.7% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. Economically, CRU outperformed common urea, with TCU providing the highest net benefit through yield stability and labor savings. These findings establish TCU at 180 kg N ha −1 as an optimal strategy of maize production in the North China Plain, balancing productivity, profitability, and environmental protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Yan & Meng Huang & Huiqing Yang & Zhonghua Wang & Shujuan Sun & Yinshan Xie & Jinbian Sun & Qiong Li & Bo Liu & Chengcheng Gao & Yanfang Xue & Kaichang Liu, 2025. "Controlled-Release Urea Coordinates Maize Physiology with Soil Nitrogen Retention: Balancing High Yield and Environmental Sustainability," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:16:p:1778-:d:1727796
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xinyan Liu & Huanhao Han & Shixiang Gu & Rong Gao, 2023. "Effects of Urea Application on Soil Organic Nitrogen Mineralization and Nitrogen Fertilizer Availability in a Rice–Broad Bean Rotation System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Pishgar-Komleh, Seyyed Hassan & Omid, Mahmoud & Heidari, Mohammad Davoud, 2013. "On the study of energy use and GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in greenhouse cucumber production in Yazd province," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 63-71.
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    4. Xiaojie Feng & Xiumei Zhan & Xiaori Han & Kun Chen & Jing Peng & Xuexin Wang & Dongyao Shang, 2021. "Slow-release nitrogen fertiliser suitable for one-time fertilisation of spring maize in Northeast China," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 67(3), pages 164-172.
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