Effects of Natural Rubber-Modified Epoxy Resin and NBPT/DMPP Dual Coated Urea on Soil Available Nitrogen Conversion and Wheat/Maize Growth: Assessment by PCA Analysis
摘要
This study was to test if sequential spraying of N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) followed by natural rubber-modified epoxy resin (NR-modified ER) coating synergistically suppresses urease activity and apparent nitrification rate, prolongs N release, and improves synchrony with crop demand; to compare NR-modified ER coated urea sprayed with NBPT/DMPP (NIDCU) with conventional and single‑inhibitor coated urea, focusing on its differential performance between winter wheat and summer maize; and to use PCA to identify key factors limiting grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Urea granules were first sprayed with NBPT/DMPP, then coated with a NR-modified ER to obtain the NIDCU. Surface morphology and nitrogen release behavior were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and hydrostatic tests. Pot experiments were conducted with winter wheat and summer maize, including six treatments: no N fertilizer (CK), conventional urea (U), conventional controlled‑release urea (CRU), NR-modified ER coated urea sprayed with NBPT (NCRU), NR-modified ER coated urea sprayed with DMPP (DCRU) and NR-modified ER coated urea sprayed with NBPT and DMPP (NDCRU). Soil urease activity, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen dynamics, crop growth, grain yield, and NUE were measured, and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. NDCRU reduced urease activity and apparent nitrification rate for approximately 120 days in wheat and 40 days in maize. Compared with U, NDCRU increased grain yield by 15.40% in wheat and 18.75% in maize. In maize, NDCRU also enhanced nitrogen fertilizer apparent utilization efficiency by 38.16% over U and 21.53% over CRU. At maturity, NDCRU increased soil ammonium content by 45.93%-82.02% and soil nitrate content by 13.25% compared with CRU. PCA showed that NDCRU was most closely associated with high yield and NUE, whereas conventional urea was linked to higher urease activity and nitrification rate, indicating greater N loss risk. Sequential spraying of NBPT and DMPP followed by NR-modified ER coating synergistically suppressed urease activity and nitrification, prolonged nitrogen availability, and improved synchrony with crop demand. NDCRU significantly increased grain yield and NUE in both wheat and maize, with greater benefits in maize, demonstrating an effective and environmentally friendlier strategy for controlled‑release fertilizers.