<b>Original data-Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate from Paddy Field Drainage Water to Provide Sustainable Ammonium Supply for Rice</b>

Extensive N fertilizer applications and high irrigation water infiltration rates are the main factors causing groundwater NO₃^--N pollution, posing high risks to the safety of drinking water in remote rural areas. In this study, we effectively constructed a self-made system without external energy inputs to achieve high NO₃^--N reduction efficiency, as well as high and long-term NH₄⁺-N selectivity. In addition, we proposed a new system to obtain sustainable NH₄⁺-N supplies from paddy field drainage water, providing sufficient N and water supplies for rice at the tillering stage. The pot experiments and the ¹⁵N tracing technique revealed increases in the rice yield and NUE, which could be mainly attributed to the sustainable NH₄⁺-N supplies. The obtained results also indicated an enhancing effect of NH₄⁺-N on the rice yield by promoting root growth and development. Our research showed that the utilization of electrochemical technology under rice cultivation can not only reduce NO₃^--N pollution but also increase rice yields, providing a new method for reducing fertilizer applications and increasing NUEs in paddy fields.