No abstract

No abstract

Mounting concerns over the cost and environmental impact of N fertilizer combined with progressively higher plant densities in maize (Zea mays L.) production systems make progress in maize N use efficiency (NUE) and N stress tolerance essential. The primary objectives of this 3‐yr field study were to (i) evaluate the N responsiveness, NUE, and N stress tolerance of multiple modern maize genotypes using suboptimal, optimal, and supraoptimal plant densities (54,000, 79,000, and 104,000 plants ha−1, respectively) with three levels of side‐dress N (0, 165, and 330 kg N ha−1), (ii) identify key morphophysiological responses to the simultaneous stresses of intense crowding and low N availability, and (iii) consider our results with extensive reference to literature on maize morphophysiological responses to plant crowding and N availability. At optimal and supraoptimal plant densities, maize receiving 165 kg ha−1 of side‐dress N displayed strong N responsiveness, high NUE, pronounced crowding tolerance, and plant density independence. However, crowding tolerance was contingent on N application. Relative to less crowded, N‐fertilized environments, the 104,000 plants ha−1, 0 kg N ha−1 treatment combination exhibited (i) reduced pre‐ and postanthesis plant height (PHT), stem diameter (SD), and total biomass; (ii) greater preflowering leaf senescence and lower R1 leaf areas at individual‐leaf, per‐plant, and canopy levels; (iii) enhanced floral protandry; (iv) lower pre‐ and postanthesis leaf‐chlorophyll content; (v) lower per‐plant kernel number (KNP), individual kernel weight (KW), grain yield per plant (GYP), andharvest index per plant (HIP); and (vi) enhanced per‐plant grain yield variability (GYCV). Genetic efforts to improve high plant density tolerance should, therefore, simultaneously focus on enhancing NUE and N stress tolerance.

Understanding the sources of grain N uptake (Grain N) in maize (Zea mays L.) and especially the trade‐off between reproductive‐stage shoot N remobilization (Remobilized N) and reproductive‐stage whole‐plant N uptake (Reproductive N) is needed to help guide future improvements in yield and N use efficiency (NUE). Therefore, a literature review was performed to investigate the knowledge gap concerning changes over time in Grain N sources and on N partitioning to the grain and stover plant fractions at maturity. The synthesis–analysis was based on 100 reports, which were divided into two time intervals: (i) research conducted from 1940 to 1990—“Old Era”—and (ii) research conducted from 1991 to 2011—“New Era.” The most remarkable results were (i) Grain N concentration was the main parameter that has changed over time, (ii) Reproductive N contributed proportionally more to Grain N for the New Era while Reproductive N and Remobilized N contributed equally to Grain N for the Old Era, (iii) Remobilized N was primarily associated with vegetative‐stage whole‐plant N uptake (Vegetative N), which was constant across eras, although the proportion of the Remobilized N itself seems to be driven by the ear demand, (iv) complex plant regulation processes (source:sink) appeared to influence Reproductive N, and (v) stover N concentration gains mirrored the grain N concentration as the plant N uptake increased at maturity in both eras. This new appreciation for the changes over time may assist directed selection for yield and NUE improvements.

Increasing concerns about soil degradation with continuous corn (Zea mays L.) production and a scarcity of scientific information regarding corn grown in rotation with the diversity of crops produced in Ontario, prompted a long term study on the effect of various crop rotations and their interaction with two tillage systems on corn growth and soil structure. Eight rotations were established in 1980 which included continuous corn, six rotations comprised of 2 yr of corn following 2 yr of another crop or crop sequence, and continuous alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Each rotation was divided into either conventional tillage (fall moldboard plow) or minimum tillage (fall chisel plow). First-year corn grown in rotation yielded 3.9% more than continuous corn for conventional tillage and 7.9% more than continuous corn for minimum tillage. These corn responses to rotation were smaller than most of those reported in the literature. When barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were the preceding crops, interseeding red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) increased first year corn yields only on conventionally tilled plots. Corn plant development was consistently slower with minimum tillage compared to conventional tillage. Yields were significantly lower with minimum tillage for continuous corn and where corn followed wheat interseeded with red clover. Little or no response to rotation was observed in second-year corn. The seedbed with continuous corn had a lower proportion of fine aggregates compared to corn grown in rotation. In most years soil aggregate stability was highest under continuous alfalfa and including a legume (whether alfalfa or interseeded red clover) in the rotation improved aggregate stability compared to continuous corn.Abbreviations: LAI, leaf area index.

Understanding nutrient balances in changing cropping systems is critical to appropriately adjust agronomic recommendations and inform breeding efforts to increase nutrient efficiencies. Research to determine the season‐long P, K, and S uptake and partitioning dynamics in maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by low, medium, and high plant density (PD) and N rate factors and their interactions was conducted over four site‐years in Indiana. Plant nutrient contents at maturity responded predominantly to N rate. Relative nutrient contents at silking compared with those at maturity were 47% for P, 100% for K, and 58% for S. Concentrations of P, K, and S varied less in leaf vs. stem (vegetative stage) and in ear vs. shoot (reproductive stage). Equivalent stoichiometric ratios were documented for N and S partitioning in leaf, stem, and ear components. The PD and N rate treatments did not modify P, K, and S nutrient partitioning to plant components during vegetative or reproductive periods (except for an N rate effect on leaf vs. stem P partitioning). Near silking, relative nutrient partitioning to the ear followed the order P > S > K. This mimicked the nutrient harvest indices observed at maturity, suggesting genetic modulation. Ratios of N to P, K, and S in whole‐plant tissues were influenced by N content changes in response to N rate but not by PD. As the season progressed, PD and N rates changed the absolute P, K, and S quantities (primarily reflecting biomass responses) but had little influence on nutrient ratios.

Soybean isoflavone concentrations vary widely, but the contribution of soil fertility and nutrient management to this variability is unknown. Field experiments from 1998 to 2000 on soils with low to high exchangeable potassium (K) concentrations evaluated K application and placement effects on isoflavone concentrations and composition of soybean in various tillage and row-width systems. Soybean seed yield and concentrations of daidzein, genistein, glycitein, leaf K, and seed K were measured. Significant increases in daidzein, genistein, and total isoflavone were observed with direct deep-banded K or residual surface-applied K on low-K soils. Positive effects of K fertilization on isoflavones were less frequent on medium- to high-testing K soils. Both individual and total isoflavones were often positively correlated with seed yield, leaf K, and seed K on low-K soils. Appropriate K management could be an effective approach to increase isoflavone concentrations for soybeans produced on low- to medium-K soils.

No abstract