A Knowledge-Based Model for Nitrogen Management in Rice and Wheat

Excessive nitrogen fertilization results in low nitrogen-use efficiency. To improve nitrogen management for high yield and high nitrogen efficiency in rice and wheat, we developed a knowledge-based nitrogen fertilization model by integrating the quantitative relationship between N fertilization and yield target with respect to N supply and demand balance. The total amount of nitrogen and ratio of basal to top dressing nitrogen could be determined by this nitrogen fertilization model, and the desirable nitrogen fertilizer strategies could be made under the conditions of different climates, soil types and managements. Furthermore, the function of dynamic regulation of pre-designed N dressing rate could be determined by using the nitrogen fertilization model on the basis of actual growth status under a specific production system. The nitrogen fertilization model is evaluated using the data from field experiments of rice and wheat at Nanjing, and the results on crop growth pattern and N use showed that the grain yield and N recovery were markedly improved by the N fertilization plan given by the model. The nitrogen fertilization model can be used as guidance for quantifying N fertilization strategy in cereal crop production.