Nitrogen fertilizer reduction in rice production for two consecutive years in the Taihu Lake area

► A two-year experiment was carried out in paddy field in the Taihu Lake area. ► Nitrogen fertilizer reduction was feasible in the Taihu Lake region. ► Nitrogen accumulation after heading stage should be concerned. ► Nitrogen fertilizer reduction would decrease N loss via runoff at rainfall events. Agricultural activities are the main source of non-point pollution in the Taihu Lake region, and therefore reduction of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is imperative in this area. A two-year experiment was carried out in a paddy field of summer rice–winter wheat rotation in the Taihu Lake area, and the rice growing seasons were mainly concerned in this research. Grain yield, N accumulation at rice crucial stages, N use efficiency, as well as N losses via run off during rice growing season were determined under different N application rates. No significant differences were observed in grain yield under N fertilizer application rates of 135–270 kg N ha −1 (50–100% of the conventional N application rate). Nitrogen accumulation before the heading stage (Pre-NA) accounted for 61–95% of total nitrogen absorption in mature rice, and was positively correlated with straw dry matter at harvest. Positive correlations were found between Pre-NA and straw (0.53, p < 0.05), and between grain yield and N accumulation after the heading stage (Post-NA) (0.58, p < 0.05), suggesting that increasing nitrogen accumulation after the heading stage is crucial for grain yield improvement. Poor agronomic efficiency of applied N (AE N), partial factor productivity of applied N (PFP N) and internal utilization efficiency of applied N (IE N) were observed for the higher soil fertility and a higher N fertilizer input; a simple N fertilizer reduction could significantly increase the nitrogen use efficiency in this region. Nitrogen loss via runoff was positively linearly related to N application rates and severely affected by rainfall events. The highest-yielding N rates were around 232–257 kg N ha −1, accounting for 86–95% of the conventional N application rates for the rice season. To reduce N losses and enhance N use efficiency, the recommendable N fertilization rate should be lower than that of the highest yield rate for rice season. Our findings indicated that nitrogen fertilizer reduction in the Taihu Lake area is feasible and necessary for maintaining grain yield, enhancing nitrogen use efficiency, and reducing environmental impact. However, the longer-term yield sustainability for the proper N