Controlled-Release Blended Fertilizer Combined with Urea Reduces Nitrogen Losses by Runoff and Improves Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Yield of Wet Direct-Seeded Rice in Central China

Controlled-release fertilizer is one of the best fertilizer management strategies for improving the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of transplanted seedling rice. Wet direct-seeded rice has gradually replaced transplanted seedling rice since it saves labor. In addition, it is conducive to mechanization promotion. However, the effects of controlled-release fertilizers on wet direct-seeded rice remain largely unknown. A two-year field experiment aimed to compare the effects of controlled-release blended fertilizer at two rates (basal N to tiller N ratio = 7:3 (CRBF+U), CRBF alone), urea at two rates (basal–tiller ratio of 4:6 (U 40 ), 6:4 (U 60 )) and a control (no N fertilizer) on the ammonia volatilization (AV) loss, nitrogen runoff loss, accumulation, transport, utilization and yield of rice. The nitrogen runoff loss in wet direct-seeded rice paddy fields was concentrated from sowing to the three-leaf and one-leaflet stage, and the loss rat was lowest after CRBF+U (11.41–12.94%). AV loss rate was lowest after CRBF (3.41%), followed by CRBF+U (3.55–3.89%). CRBF+U increased nitrogen accumulation by extending the duration of rapid nitrogen growth and accelerating maximum nitrogen growth. CRBF+U also increased the nitrogen transport rate of stems, sheaths and leaves from full heading to maturity, and intensified the increase in nitrogen in panicles, increasing the harvest index, agronomy utilization rate and apparent utilization rate of nitrogen. Finally, the grain number per panicle, seed-setting rate and actual yield of rice were significantly improved. In conclusion, CRBF+U can reduce nitrogen runoff loss and AV loss and can improve the yield and nitrogen use efficiency of wet direct-seeded rice.