Impacts of controlled-release fertilizer application on maize yield stability, soil quality and carbon footprint in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain

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.