Mulching and nitrogen are critical drivers of crop production for smallholders of the Loess Plateau in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mulching and nitrogen fertilizer on the soil water content, soil nitrate-N content and vertical distribution in maize root-zone. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive years and used randomly assigned field plots with...

A field experiment was conducted to determine the seasonal patterns of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) in a dryland winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system and to determine wheat growth and P uptake responses to inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus. Broadcast-incorporated treatments included (1) no inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus, with and without P fertilizer, and (2) mycorrhizal fungal inocu...

This chapter provides information on some recent developments of fertilizer production and use that improve nutrient efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The nutrients discussed are mainly N, P, and S. Improving N nutrient efficiency includes use of (1) controlled-release coated urea products, (2) slowrelease urea–aldehyde polymer products, (3) urea supergranules for deep placement, (4...

The application of urea fertilizer has always been associated with heavy N losses therefore, improving its efficiency is critical to minimize economic and environmental losses associated with its application. One possible approach to improve the nitrogen losses from the surface applied urea is to coat it with sulfur, urease inhibitor (agrotain) and other biodegradable materials. A pot experimen...

this study was conducted under cold temperate climate condition in khorasan during 2006-2008 growing seasons to determine the suitable wheat-based double cropping systems for increase nitrogen agronomic efficiency. a randomized complete block design in split-split plot arrangement with three replicates was used. main plots were crop rotation with five different rotations including wheat:wheat, ...

The use of efficient rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is important with regard to increasing crop productivity and maintaining environmental sustainability. Rice-oilseed rape rotations are a mainstay of the economy and food security of China. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out during 2011-2013 in Honghu to identify the most appropriate N application rates for enhancing cr...

Nitrogen is the most important essential nutrient that plays a major role in achieving maximum crop yield in agriculture. Therefore, nitrogen fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate and urea have been extensively used in modern agriculture. These fertilizers are generally oxidized to nitrate via nitrite by nitrifying microorganisms in the agricultural field (4, 10, 11). The serious environmental p...