Improving Rice Yields and Nitrogen Use Efficiency by Optimizing Nitrogen Management and Applications to Rapeseed in Rapeseed-Rice Rotation System

Abstract

This investigation aims to provide theoretical and practical evidence for the efficient utilization of nitrogen (N) in paddy-upland rapeseed-rice rotation systems because a lack of previous research on such rotation systems leads to inefficient management practices. The effects of the N application rates and the N fertilizer management strategies for rapeseed and rice were examined, respectively, in relation to the photosynthetic productivity and yields of hybrid rice. The results indicated that the leaf area, Pn, with 40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilize, and 20% as panicle fertilizer and a reduced N rate (30 kg/ha) during the rape season, were higher than other nitrogen management strategies trialed, with conventional N rates in the rape season. The average rice grain yield (9545.15 kg/ha) over the two years with 40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilizer, and 20% as panicle fertilizer was higher than other N treatments with the reduced N rates during the rape season. The reduced N rate during the rapeseed season and 40% as basal fertilizer, 40% as tillering fertilizer, and 20% as panicle fertilizer management during the rice season for the rape-rice rotation system exhibited the highest rice yields. Our findings indicated that the N fertilizer management model was a high-yielding, N-saving, and environmentally friendly measure for rape–rice rotation systems in southern China.