Content Variation and Potential Runoff Loss Risk of Nutrients in Surface Water of Saline-Alkali Paddy in Response to the Application of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Types

Abstract

As the saline-alkali paddy area continues to grow, the nutrient (e.g., nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) runoff loss is becoming more serious in the world. The N-fertilizer application affects the nutrient runoff loss risk in paddy. Selecting suitable fertilizer types to reduce nutrient loss is beneficial to agricultural sustainability. However, the effects of N-fertilizer application in saline-alkali paddy are not clear. This study measured the N and P concentration of surface water in saline-alkali paddy, using various N—fertilizer treatments (i.e., urea (U), urea with urease—nitrification inhibitors (UI), organic–inorganic compound fertilizer (OCF), carbon—based slow—release fertilizer (CSF), and no N fertilization (CK)). Based on the structural equation model, both phosphate (PO43−-P) and total−P (TP) concentrations had a positive influence on total-N (TN) concentration regardless of N−fertilizer types applied. Potential risks of ammonia—N (NH4+—N) and nitrate—N (NO3−—N) runoff losses were reduced in UI treatment, but the TN and TP losses were increased. At the panicle-initiation fertilizer stage, the NO3−−N, TN, and TP concentrations in CSF and OCF treatments were lower than U. The CSF application can control the TP runoff loss risk during the rice-growing season. UI should not be suggested for the control of nutrient runoff loss in saline-alkali paddy.