Plant Soil Environ., 2024, 70(5):253-262 | DOI: 10.17221/450/2023-PSE

Enhancing rice yield, quality, and resource utilisation with slow-release fertiliser in alternate wetting and drying irrigationOriginal Paper

Keji Hua ORCID...1,2, Peng Yang3, Jieyu Zhou4, Wei Liao5, Jun He1,2, Junlin Zheng6, Chi Tang7, Yuqin Li1,2, Baolong Zhang1,2
1 Engineering Research Center of Eco-environment in Three Gorges Reservoir Region, Ministry of Education, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, P.R. China
2 College of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, P.R. China
3 Zhangshu Agricultural and Rural Bureau, Zhangshu, Jiangxi, P.R. China
4 Danjiangkou Hydropower Plant, Hanjiang Water Resources and Hydropower Group Co., Ltd., Danjiangkou, Hubei, P.R. China
5 Guangdong Zhonghao Survey and Design Consulting Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
6 College of Water Conservancy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, P.R. China
7 Hubei Zhanghe Hydraulic Project Administration Bureau, Jingmen, Hubei, P.R. China

Partial slow-release fertiliser substitution for urea combined with water-saving irrigation may synergistically improve rice yield, quality, water, and nitrogen (N) utilisation. A field experiment to evaluate different combinations of irrigation regimes: alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) and flooding irrigation (FI), and N strategies: N0 (no N fertiliser); N1 (100% conventional fertiliser); N2 (100% SCF – sulphur-coated fertiliser); N3 (70% SCF + 30% urea), and N4 (50% SCF + 50% urea) on efficient rice production. Results indicated that higher substitution rates of SCF (N2 and N3) increased total N and ammonia N in surface water, leachate, and soil while reducing nitrate N relative to N1. The N3 strategy showed the highest yields, dry matter, total N uptake, and water N utilisation due to a nutrient release pattern that matched rice growth requirements. AWD yielded 5% lower than FI, except for the N3 strategy, but protein content increased by 12%, and amylose content dropped by 17%. The structural equation model analysis suggested that SCF positively impacted yield by influencing surface water total N and soil total N. Our findings indicate that implementing AWD alongside a 70% SCF basal fertiliser and 30% urea topdressing can optimise rice yield and quality while effectively managing water and fertiliser resources in the middle-lower Yangtze River Basin.

Keywords: Oryza sativa L.; rice sustainable production; nutrition; fertilisation; SEM model

Received: November 13, 2023; Revised: February 19, 2024; Accepted: March 4, 2024; Prepublished online: March 19, 2024; Published: April 22, 2024  Show citation

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Hua K, Yang P, Zhou J, Liao W, He J, Zheng J, et al.. Enhancing rice yield, quality, and resource utilisation with slow-release fertiliser in alternate wetting and drying irrigation. Plant Soil Environ. 2024;70(5):253-262. doi: 10.17221/450/2023-PSE.
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