Role of Organic Matter in Reducing Nitrogen-Leaching Loss and Improving Yield of Stem Mustard and Corn in the Three Gorges Reservoirs

Abstract

Abstract The effects of organic and/or chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on nitrogen leaching and mustard yield in the Three Gorges Reservoir area is still unknown. Four years’ fertilizer experiments, including organic matter and chemical fertilizer incorporation (MC), chemical fertilizer (CF), organic fertilizer (M), and non-fertilizer (Control) were used to understand role of organic matter and fertilizer incorporation in reducing nitrogen-leaching loss and improving yield of stem mustard and corn in three gorges reservoirs. Results showed that MC led to the highest yield, sustainable yield index, percent fertilizer recovery, and nitrogen agronomy efficiency and N uptake of stem mustard and corn. Leaching loss of N was significantly positively correlated with cumulative precipitation. CF treatments led to obviously higher N loss with the cumulative precipitation more than 44.3 mm. the N loss in MC treatment exceeded that in M treatment or control with cumulative precipitation more than 96.2 mm. Total amounts and concentration of N in leaching water followed the trends: CF> M > MC > Control. Organic fertilizer could reduce nitrogen-leaching loss and improve yield of stem mustard and corn with incorporation of fertilizer.