Abstract: The effects of three fertilization treatments (no fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer, and lime) on the characteristics of Vicia villosa decomposition and nutrient release were studied using the nylon bag method in the fields. The results showed that the cumulative decomposition rate of V. villosa was 65.3%-72.5% across the three fertilization treatments. V. villosa decomposed rapidly during 0-11 d, then slowed down and tended to be stable. The nutrient release rates across the three treatments were potassium > phosphorus > carbon > nitrogen. At the end of the experiment (148 d), the cumulative release rates of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were 83.6%-84.6%, 78.2%-81.2%, 89.8%-91.4% and 96.3%-97.0%, respectively. During the whole decomposition period, the characteristics of nitrogen release and decomposition of V. villosa were similar. Compared with no fertilizer treatment, lime application promoted decomposition and release of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen fertilizer application promoted phosphorus release but inhibited potassium release. Both nitrogen application and lime application had no significant effect on carbon release. The application of nitrogen fertilizer promoted the decomposition of V. villosa and nitrogen release in 0-11 d, but inhibited those processes in 11-148 d. The first-order kinetic reaction equation and logarithmic function equation well fitted the characteristics of V. villosa decomposition and the release of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the rice fields of South Henan. The characteristic parameters of the equation were significantly correlated with the decomposition rate and nutrient release rate of V. villosa. In summary, lime application was better than nitrogen fertili-zer in promoting decomposition and nutrient release of V. villosa. Moreover, the parameters of the first-order kinetic equation and logarithmic function equation showed a good description of decomposition and nutrient release of V. villosa.