Closing Yield Gaps through Soil Improvement for Maize Production in Coastal Saline Soil

Abstract

As efforts to close crop production yield gaps increase, the need has emerged to identify cost-effective strategies to reduce yield losses through soil improvement. Maize (Zea mays L.) production in coastal saline soil is limited by high salinity and high pH, and a limited number of soil amendment options are available. We performed a field experiment in 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the ability of combined flue gas desulfurization gypsum and furfural residue application (CA) to reduce the maize yield gap and improve soil properties. We carried out the same amendment treatments (CA and no amendment as a control) under moderate (electrical conductivity (EC1:1) ≈ 4 dS m−1) and high (EC1:1 ≈ 6 dS m−1) salinity levels. Averaged over all salinity levels and years, maize yields increased from 32.6% of yield potential in the control to 44.2% with the CA treatments. Post-harvest CA treatment increased the calcium (Ca2+) and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents while decreasing the sodium (Na+) content and pH in the upper soil layer. Corresponding nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium accumulations in maize were significantly increased, and Na accumulation was decreased in the CA group compared with the control. The economic return associated with CA treatment increased by 215 $ ha−1 at the high salinity level compared with the control, but decreased at the moderate salinity level because of the minor increase in yield. The results of this study provide insight into the reduction of yield gaps by addressing soil constraints.

Maize productivity response to combined tillage and mulching in coastal saline zones

“…These effects can be explained by the reduction of soil salinity, which led to greater salt drainage from the root zone (Haque et al., 2018; X. Wang et al., 2018), followed by enhanced maize growth and yield formation (Dong, Yang, Zhang, et al., 2018; Farooq et al., 2015; J. Zhang et al., 2020). Previous studies have indicated that high ear density is a key parameter for high grain yield (Huang et al., 2019), and biomass accumulation from silking to maturity determines grain weight and grain yield (Srivastava et al., 2018; J. Zhang, Jiang, Xue, et al., 2019).…”

“…Total rainfall values in 2017, 2018, and 2019 during the experimental maize growing seasons (May–September) were 417, 809, and 461 mm; the total evaporation values were 485, 830, and 574 mm (Supplemental Figure S1; data provided by the China Meteorological Data Network). The soil texture was silt loam (J. Zhang, Jiang, Xue, et al., 2019) and the soil was slightly saline, with electrical conductivity (EC) values (a 1:5 ratio of soil/water) of 0.45–0.58 dS m −1 (Table 1) (J. Zhang, Jiang, Miao, et al., 2019). The chemical properties during 2017 in the 0‐to‐60‐cm soil depth at 20‐cm intervals are listed in Table 1.…”

“…Excessive salt accumulation, especially the high relative Na + level, may result in ionic imbalance, inhibit leaf development and photosynthesis, and interfere with the uptake and transport of essential nutrients (Farooq et al., 2015; Zörb et al., 2019). These facts affect crop growth and biomass accumulation, reduce crop yield, and restrict the sustainable development of agriculture (J. Zhang, Jiang, Xue, et al., 2019). Therefore, an effective management practice to cope with these complex issues is needed to sustain agricultural production in coastal saline soils by improving soil properties, reducing evaporation, and mitigating salinity stress.…”

Nutrient Management of Maize

“…Intriguingly, the post-harvest CA treatment exhibited remarkable outcomes, with notable increases observed in calcium (Ca2+) and soil organic carbon (SOC) contents, while simultaneously reducing sodium (Na+) content and pH levels in the upper soil layer. Consequently, maize crops experienced significant enhancements in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium accumulations, alongside a decrease in Na accumulation when compared to the control group [22]. Another noteworthy study delved into the dynamics of global maize production, consumption, and trade, aiming to decipher evolving trends over the past 25 years and their consequential impact on research and development (R&D), with a particular focus on the Global South.…”

Narrowing Yield Gaps and Enhancing Nitrogen Utilization for Summer Maize (Zea mays L) by Combining the Effects of Varying Nitrogen Fertilizer Input and Planting Density in DSSAT Simulations

“…Several approaches to narrowing the yield gap have been studied. Zhang J. et al (2019) reported that improving soil properties could reduce the maize yield gap. Cui et al (2013) reported that effective N management could narrow the maize yield gap while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.…”