Dicyandiamide application improved nitrogen use efficiency and decreased nitrogen losses in wheat-maize crop rotation in Loess Plateau |
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| Authors: | Sajjad Raza Zhujun Chen Muneer Ahmed Muhammad Rahil Afzal Tariq Aziz |
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| Institution: | 1. College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&2. F University, Yangling, China;3. Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-Environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, China;4. Faculty of Agriculture, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, Pakistan;5. Institute of Soil &6. Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan |
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| Abstract: | Inhibition of nitrification as a mitigation tool to abate nitrogen (N) losses and improve N use efficiency (NUE) is a promising technology. Nitrification inhibitor (dicyandiamide, DCD) was evaluated in two consecutive wheat-maize rotations (2015–2017), with two different N fertilizer levels applied in wheat (160, 220 kg N ha?1) and maize (180, 280 kg N ha?1). More NH4+-N contents (101% and 102% in wheat and 74% and 73% in maize) and less NO3–-N contents (37% and 43% in wheat and 46% and 57% in maize) were observed at both N levels treated with DCD compared to without DCD. Higher pH, lower EC and reduced NO3–-N accumulation were the other benefits of DCD. The NO3–-N accumulation within the 0–200 cm soil profile was significantly less at both N levels with DCD (66 mg kg?1 and 121 mg kg?1) compared to without DCD (96 mg kg?1 and 169 mg kg?1). Application of DCD also improved the growth and yield in both crops. Increase in NUE from 38% to 49% in wheat and 27% to 33% in maize with DCD at higher N level was also observed. Overall, the effectiveness of DCD in retarding the nitrification process was higher in wheat than maize. |
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| Keywords: | Nitrification inhibitor nitrogen use efficiency nitrate leaching nitrogen uptake wheat-maize rotation |
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