Highlights
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Different N application rates had little impact on the soil mineral N concentration around root, but increased the rice dry matter and N accumulation aboveground.
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N leaching should not be considered as main pollution resources in paddy filed in summer rice season.
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N fertilizer reduction should be made at rice early growing stage in Taihu Lake region.
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Spikelet per panicle made the greatest direct contribution and total contribution to grain yield.