Identifying critical nitrogen application rate for maize yield and nitrate leaching in a Haplic Luvisol soil using the DNDC model

•DNDC model could satisfactorily simulate maize yield in a Haplic Luvisol soil.•DNDC could satisfactorily simulate nitrate leaching in a Haplic Luvisol soil.•DNDC identified critical agronomic and environmental N rates to be 180-240 kg ha− 1.

Identification of critical nitrogen (N) application rate can provide management supports for ensuring grain yield and reducing amount of nitrate leaching to ground water. A five-year (2008-2012) field lysimeter (1 m × 2 m × 1.2 m) experiment with three N treatments (0, 180 and 240 kg N ha− 1) was conducted to quantify maize yields and amount of nitrate leaching from a Haplic Luvisol soil in the North China Plain. The experimental data were used to calibrate and validate the process-based model of Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC). After this, the model was used to simulate maize yield production and amount of nitrate leaching under a series of N application rates and to identify critical N application rate based on acceptable yield and amount of nitrate leaching for this cropping system. The results of model calibration and validation indicated that the model could correctly simulate maize yield and amount of nitrate leaching, with satisfactory values of RMSE-observation standard deviation ratio, model efficiency and determination coefficient. The model simulations confirmed the measurements that N application increased maize yield compared with the control, but the high N rate (240 kg N ha− 1) did not produce more yield than the low one (120 kg N ha− 1), and that the amount of nitrate leaching increased with increasing N application rate. The simulation results suggested that the optimal N application rate was in a range between 150 and 240 kg ha− 1, which would keep the amount of nitrate leaching below 18.4 kg NO3−-N ha− 1 and meanwhile maintain acceptable maize yield above 9410 kg ha− 1. Furthermore, 180 kg N ha− 1 produced the highest yields (9837 kg ha− 1) and comparatively lower amount of nitrate leaching (10.0 kg NO3−-N ha− 1). This study will provide a valuable reference for determining optimal N application rate (or range) in other crop systems and regions in China.