Synergistic nitrification inhibitors with best management practices can achieve higher yield and nitrogen use efficiency in semi-arid saline-alkali soils

High yield and high nitrogen use efficiency are blocked by various abiotic stress, especially in arid, salinity and irrigation deficiency agricultural production system. While systematic solutions are crucial strategies, the translation of problem-solving approaches into field-scale practical applications remains insufficient. This study aimed at designing a high yield and high efficiency production system by combined enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) and best agronomic practices. The effects were examined through a 3-years (from 2020 to 2022) maize field experiment in a typical region, Hangjinhou Banner, inner Mongolia, China. The results show that 15-18 Mg ha^-1 yield (80% of yield potential) can be realized under various stress conditions by adopted the new designed system. In this system, nitrogen (N) fertilizer input can be reduced from 380 kg ha^-1 (higher yield practice) to 250 kg ha^-1 (balance above-ground uptake), fertilization times can be reduced from 3 to 1, and the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) can be increased to over 57.9%. The key is to reduce nutrient losses, prolong nutrient supply and control nutrient concentration by using enhanced efficiency fertilizer and increase crop yields from 13.5 to 15 Mg ha^-1.