Impacts of controlled-release fertilizer application on maize yield stability, soil quality and carbon footprint in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain
Abstract
Although controlled-release urea (CRU) has demonstrated higher nitrogen use efficiency compared to conventional urea, comprehensive evaluations of its multi-year continuous application on yield stability and environmental sustainability remain limited. A field experiment initiated in 2013 in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain compared the effects of two coated ureas and conventional urea on sustainable yield, soil quality, and carbon footprint. Sulfur-coated urea achieved optimal balance among productivity, economic benefits, and environmental performance, while polymer-coated urea excelled in soil quality. The findings emphasize the importance of multi-criteria evaluation in fertilizer selection and provide scientific evidence for sustainable fertilizer management in intensive maize production systems.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Crop Yield and Soil Fertility
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
Polymer-Based Agricultural Enhancements
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Crop Journal
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 1091–1095
- Publication date
- 3 March 2026
- Language
- EN