One-Time Double-Layer Placement of Controlled-Release Urea Enhances Wheat Yield, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Mitigates N2O Emissions

Muhammad Akhtar¹Liuge Wu¹Chen Jian¹Su Yuxiao²Zheng Yuntan²Lu Yulun²Zheng Shanchao²Deng Aixing¹Zhenwei Song¹Zheng Chengyan^1*Zhang Weijian^1*

• ¹Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, Beijing 100081, China
• ²Dongping County Agricultural Bureau, Dongping County, 271500, China

Simultaneously enhancing the crop yield and reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions presents a critical challenge in sustainable agriculture. The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is a key strategy to enhance crop yield. However, conventional N application practices often lead to excessive soil N accumulation, insufficient crop N uptake and elevated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address these issues, this study evaluated the effectiveness of one-time double-layer fertilization of controlled-release urea (CRU) in improving wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and mitigating N2O emissions compared to single-layer fertilization. A two-year field experiment (2021-2023) was conducted with five treatments: zero N fertilizer (T0), one-time single-layer fertilization of urea at 8-10 cm soil depth (T1), one-time single-layer fertilization of CRU at 8-10 cm soil depth (T2), one-time double-layer fertilization of urea at 8-10 cm & 18-20 cm soil depth (T3), one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU at 8-10 cm & 18-20 cm soil depth (T4). The two-year average results indicated that one-time double-layer fertilization of CRU (T4) achieved the highest wheat yield (10.20 t ha -1 ) and NUE (19.13 kg kg -1 ), as well as the lowest N2O emissions (0.66 kg ha -1 ). Compared to single-layer CRU fertilization (T2), T4 increased wheat yield and NUE by 5.94% and 11.26%, respectively, while reducing N2O emissions by 22.50%. Furthermore, T4 optimized the soil microenvironment by lowering soil temperature and NO3 --N content at 0-10 cm depth, while enhancing soil moisture and NH4 + -N availability at 10-20 cm, thereby promoting plant N uptake and utilization. These findings suggest that the one-time doublelayer fertilization of CRU synchronizes N release with crop demand and regulates soil N dynamics, offering a promising strategy to boost wheat productivity and minimize environmental impacts.