Abstract:
To determine the optimal proportion of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer application and its effects on rice yield and greenhouse gas emissions can provide a theoretical basis for the selection of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer application scheme in rice field and for the green and sustainable agricultural production. In this study, the effects of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer reducing substitution for conventional nitrogen fertilizer on rice yield and greenhouse gas (CO
2, N
2O, and CH
4) emissions during rice season were studied quantitatively in rice field under straw return in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. The experiment included six treatments: no fertilizer control (CK), conventional fertilizer (CN), slow-release nitrogen fertilizer substitution for conventional nitrogen fertilizer based on the same nitrogen input (SRN), and 20%, 40% and 60% nitrogen reduction (−20% SRN, −40% SRN, and −60% SRN) based on SRN. The results showed that the rice yield under SRN treatment was the highest (9.78 t∙hm
−2) compared with CK treatment, and there was no significant difference between −20% SRN and SRN treatments. Compared with CN treatment, SRN and −20% SRN treatments significantly increased rice yield by 10.1% and 7.7% (
P<0.05), respectively, while −60% SRN treatment significantly decreased by 11.2% (
P<0.05). Compared with CK treatment, all the other fertilization treatments could significantly increase the cumulative emissions of CO
2, N
2O and CH
4 and the global warming potential (GPW) of paddy field, with a similar trend: CN ≈ SRN > −20% SRN > −40% SRN > −60% SRN >CK. Compared with CK treatment, CN and SRN treatments could significantly increase greenhouse gas emission intensity by 10.3%~34.0% (
P<0.05). However, compared with CN treatment, treatments with slow-release nitrogen fertilizer substitution for conventional nitrogen fertilizer could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity in paddy field, with a decrease of 8.9%~17.7% (
P<0.05). It can be seen that 20% reduction of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer substitution of conventional nitrogen fertilizer is the best proportion of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer reduction applied in paddy field in this area, which is of great significance for improving soil fertility and rice yield, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing sustainable agriculture.