Mineral nitrogen dynamics in irrigated rice-wheat system under different irrigation and establishment methods and residue levels in arid drylands of Central Asia

► Nitrogen (N) loss from rice field is affected by irrigation method. ► Dry seeded rice (DSR) with alternate wet and dry (AWD) irrigation has high N loss than in water seeded rice (WSR). ► Residue retention increase N loss. ► Major amount of N loss from rice field is from panicle initiation to flowering stage. ► Strategies for appropriate N fertilization need to be developed before no-till DSR can be adopted.