Summary
This 2023 field study investigated the agronomic and microbial effects of controlled-release nitrogen fertiliser in wheat cultivation. The research suggests that controlled-release N formulations reduced nitrogen losses to the environment whilst maintaining or improving grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency compared with conventional soluble N fertilisers. The work appears to link these agronomic gains to measurable shifts in soil microbial community composition, indicating potential synergies between improved nutrient management and soil biological function.
Regional applicability
The findings may have relevance to UK cereal production, particularly given regulatory pressure to reduce nitrogen losses and improve nutrient use efficiency under the Water Framework Directive and Nitrates Directive. However, the study appears to have been conducted in China; applicability would depend on soil type, climate, and agronomic conditions being comparable to UK arable regions.
Key measures
Wheat grain yield; nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); nitrogen losses (ammonia volatilisation, nitrous oxide emissions, nitrate leaching); soil microbial community structure (bacterial and fungal diversity and abundance); soil mineral nitrogen content
Outcomes reported
The study compared controlled-release nitrogen (N) fertiliser application to conventional N fertiliser on wheat yield, nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogen losses, and soil microbial community composition. Outcomes measured included grain yield, N uptake efficiency, gaseous N losses, and changes in soil bacterial and fungal populations.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.