Controlled-release nitrogen combined with ordinary nitrogen fertilizer improved nitrogen uptake and productivity of winter wheat.

Background: Blending controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (CRNF) with ordinary nitrogen fertilizer (ONF) is a strategic approach to improve winter wheat nutrient management. This blend provides nitrogen (N) to winter wheat in a balanced and consistent manner, ensuring long-term growth, reducing nutrient loss due to leaching or volatilization, and increasing N use efficiency (NUE). Aims: CRNF aims to enhance N application suitability, optimizes soil nutrient dynamics, and its widespread use can boost crop NUE and yield. The study investigates how different CRNF and ONF blending ratios affect soil N content, winter wheat growth, and yield. Methods: The experiment used two N application rates of 192(N Results: CRNF at the jointing and anthesis stages helps maintain nitrate N levels throughout the growth cycle. Compared to full CRNF application at different N rates, this method also reduces nitrate N leaching in the soil. The 0-60 cm soil layer was primarily influenced by increasing the proportion of CRNF, especially from jointing to maturity. CRNF promotes a higher plant population during the turning green and jointing stages by increasing soil N content, thereby establishing a strong yield foundation for winter wheat. It increases winter wheat N accumulation and correlates positively with soil N content during key growth stages. Conclusion: Winter wheat grain yield has increased, with significant yield increases observed at 70% blending with a higher amount of N at 240 kg ha