| Abstract: | 【Objective】Mechanized transplanting of rice with synchronous side deep application of fertilizer is a new and advanced technology that is still developing rapidly. In-depth studies on the effects of mechanized side deep placement of different types of nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the grain yield and N utilization efficiency of mechanized transplanted rice will be helpful for devising strategies to improve the mechanization of planting and fertilization, and to provide a theoretical basis for reducing costs and increasing fertilization efficiency in rice production. 【Method】Field experiments were conducted in 2017 and 2018 with a randomized complete block design, with five N fertilizer application treatments: N0-plots without N fertilizer; CUB-manual surface broadcast of urea (CU); CUM-mechanized side deep placement of CU; CRUB-manual surface broadcast of controlled release urea (CRU); and CRUM-mechanized side deep placement of CRU. The characteristics of matter production, as well as N uptake and distribution, N use efficiency, yield, and yield components of rice were determined. 【Result】Each N fertilizer application treatment had similar effects on yield formation and N use efficiency in the two years. Compared with the CU treatment, the CRU treatment significantly improved dry matter accumulation, N uptake, N utilization efficiency, and grain yield. The dry matter accumulation and N uptake at maturity, N recovery efficiency (NRE), N agronomy efficiency (NAE), and grain yield were higher in the CRU treatment than in the CU treatment by 3.22%, 17.50%, 46.00%, 17.79%, and 3.72%, respectively, in 2017; and by 8.77%, 13.27%, 32.07%, 12.74%, and 3.32%, respectively, in 2018. Compared with surface broadcasting, mechanized deep placement of N fertilizer, regardless of the type of N fertilizer, significantly enhanced N use efficiency, and increased NRE and NAE by 17.91%-43.14% and 19.61%-37.39% respectively, in 2017; and by 53.80%-54.10% and 21.11%-35.11%, respectively, in 2018. Compared with surface broadcasting, mechanized deep placement of N fertilizer (CU or CRU) increased the grain yields in 2017 and 2018 by 4.46%-6.95% and 5.55%-8.11%, respectively, because of increased numbers of effective panicles and spikelets. The N uptake in stems-sheaths and leaves and the apparent amount of N translocated in stems-sheaths and leaves (TNT) were significantly higher in the CRUM treatment than in any other N application treatments from the heading stage to the maturity stage. Compared with the other N fertilizer treatments, the CRUM treatment also increased N uptake, SPAD values, and total aboveground biomass at the panicle initiation stage and full heading stage. 【Conclusion】Mechanized side deep placement of controlled release urea is an efficient fertilization method to increase the grain yield and N use efficiency of mechanized transplanted rice. |
