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Straw mulching combined with an optimal nitrogen rate split into two applications enhances wheat yield, grain quality and nitrogen efficiency in a semi-arid area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2025

Liurong Li ,
Juanni He ,
Runze Zhang ,
Ruimin Gao ,
Xiaoyong Wen ,
Yanfei Xue ,
Changlu Hu Open the ORCID record for Changlu Hu [Opens in a new window] ,
Xueyun Yang  and
Shulan Zhang
Liurong Li
Affiliation:
Shaanxi G&M Natural Resources Investment Construction Co., LTD, Xi’an, SN, PR China
Juanni He
Affiliation:
Shaanxi G&M Natural Resources Investment Construction Co., LTD, Xi’an, SN, PR China
Runze Zhang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, SN, PR China College of Environment and Life Science, Weinan Normal University, Weinan, PR China
Ruimin Gao
Affiliation:
Shaanxi G&M Natural Resources Investment Construction Co., LTD, Xi’an, SN, PR China
Xiaoyong Wen
Affiliation:
Shaanxi G&M Natural Resources Investment Construction Co., LTD, Xi’an, SN, PR China
Yanfei Xue
Affiliation:
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Technology Extension Center, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, PR China
Changlu Hu*
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, SN, PR China
Xueyun Yang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, SN, PR China
Shulan Zhang
Affiliation:
Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, SN, PR China
*
Corresponding author: Changlu Hu; Email: changluhu@nwafu.edu.cn
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Abstract

Appropriate soil water and nitrogen (N) management strategies are critical for achieving sustainable agricultural development in drylands. Straw mulching has been used to improve crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE), but N management strategies may need to be adjusted from conventional practice. The current study investigated the interactive effects of N application rate (conventional and high N rate), N application frequencies (single, and split N in 2 – 3 applications) and seasonal conditions on wheat population density dynamics, yield, harvest index (HI), grain protein content, water- and N-use efficiency, and residual soil N under straw mulching on the Loess Plateau of China. Nitrogen rate had no effect on yield, HI, WUE and grain protein content, but high N rate resulted in lower grain weight and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFPN), and higher soil N residue. Splitting N applications significantly improved grain yield (7%), HI (9%), grain protein content (5%), PFPN and N harvest index, along with a reduction in soil N residue, compared to single application. However, there was no difference in above traits between split-N in 2 and 3 applications. Conventional N rate (vs. high N rate) and split N application (vs. single application) both alleviated the negative correlation between grain yield and grain protein content, and split N application increased grain N removal per unit yield compared to single N application. It is concluded that conventional N rate combined with split application in two doses, is suitable for straw mulching in drylands of the Loess Plateau, China.

Keywords

grain protein contentnitrogen managementrainfed cropping systemresidual soil nitrogenwater use efficiency

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Type
Crops and Soils Research Paper
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The Journal of Agricultural Science , First View , pp. 1 - 11
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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