Combating Dual Challenges in Maize Under High Planting Density: Stem Lodging and Kernel Abortion

Shah, Adnan Noor; Tanveer, Mohsin; Abbas, Asad; Yıldırım, Mehmet; Shah, Anis Ali; Ahmad, Muhammad Irfan; Wang, Zhiwei; Sun, Weiwei; Song, Youhong

doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.699085

Cited by 31 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 244 publications

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“…Changes in the chlorophyll and photosynthetic characteristics can induce changes in the physiology and productivity of the plant (Mandal and Dutta, 2020;Shah et al, 2021a). It is believed that the changes in the chlorophyll content are expected to bring changes in the photosynthetic activities of the plant (Ahmad et al, 2013;Seleiman et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen fertilization coupled with iron foliar application improves the photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, and the related enzymes of maize crops under different planting patterns

et al. 2022

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Photosynthetic rate (Pn) and photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) are the two important factors affecting the photosynthesis and nutrient utilization of plant leaves. However, the effect of N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe on the Pn and PNUE of the maize crops under different planting patterns (i.e., monocropping and intercropping) is elusive. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to determine the effect of N fertilization combined with foliar application of Fe on the photosynthetic characteristics, PNUE, and the associated enzymes of the maize crops under different planting patterns. The results of this study showed that under intercropping, maize treated with N fertilizer combined with foliar application of Fe had not only significantly (p < 0.05) improved physio-agronomic indices but also higher chlorophyll content, better photosynthetic characteristics, and related leaf traits. In addition, the same crops under such treatments had increased photosynthetic enzyme activity (i.e., rubisco activity) and nitrogen metabolism enzymes activities, such as nitrate reductase (NR activity), nitrite reductase (NiR activity), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT activity). Consequently, intercropping enhanced the PNUE and soluble sugar content of the maize crops, thus increasing its yield compared with monocropping. Thus, these findings suggest that intercropping under optimal N fertilizer application combined with Fe foliation can improve the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic characteristics of maize crops by regulating the associated enzymatic activities. Consequently, this results in enhanced PNUE, which eventually leads to better growth and higher yield in the intercropping system. Thus, practicing intercropping under optimal nutrient management (i.e., N and Fe) could be crucial for better growth and yield, and efficient nitrogen use efficiency of maize crops.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen fertilization coupled with iron foliar application improves the photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, and the related enzymes of maize crops under different planting patterns

et al. 2022

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“…The influence of nitrogen availability on maize grain yield can be determined using physiological components such as the interception and effective use of radiation, as well as nitrogen partitioning to reproductive organ (Sandhu et al, 2021). Nitrogen fertilizer affects maize dry matter production by influencing leaf area development, maintenance, and photosynthetic efficiency (Kaur et al, 2012;Shah et al, 2021a). Nitrogen is critical for increasing soil production and crop efficiency (Habtegebrial et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Response to Nitrogen Application Levels and Time

et al. 2022

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Productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) as affected by nitrogen application levels and timing were studied. The experimental design was a three-replication randomized complete block design (RCBD). The first factor was nitrogen levels (122, 240, 288 and 336 kg N/ha) and the second factor was nitrogen timing (50% of N at sowing and 50% of N before the first irrigation; T1, 50% of N at sowing and 50% of N before the second irrigation; T2 and 50% of N before the first irrigation and 50% of N before the second irrigation; T3). Results indicated that plant height, ear length, kernel weight, number of grains/rows, number of grains/ear and grain yields all increased significantly as nitrogen levels increased and the level of 336 kg N/ha significantly exhibiting the highest values in both seasons. In terms of nitrogen application time, maize yield parameters such as plant height, ear length, kernel weight/ear, number of grains/rows, number of grains/ear and grain yield were significantly affected by nitrogen timing, with the highest values obtained at T3 while the lowest values obtained at T1 in both seasons. The interaction had a significant impact on plant height and grain yield/ha, with the tallest plants, the highest yields and its components observed at 336 kg N/ha, with 50% of N applied during the first irrigation and 50% of N applied during the second. Furthermore, under the study conditions, NUE decreased dramatically as nitrogen levels increased and increased significantly as nitrogen application time changed.

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“…However, the relationships between NSC and SC in maize are still unclear. Meanwhile, the sugar contents in lodging resistance and kernel abortion are largely unknown ( Shah et al., 2021 ). Both of NSC and SCs (cellulose, hemicellulose) were important sinks for photosynthates ( Sekhon et al., 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both of NSC and SCs (cellulose, hemicellulose) were important sinks for photosynthates ( Sekhon et al., 2016 ). SCs contributed much to enhancing lodging resistance ( Shah et al., 2021 ). NSCs serve as components of “the buffer system” in the maize source–sink relationship, providing an alternative transient sink for photosynthates and carbohydrates for grain growth ( Slewinski, 2012 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduced stem nonstructural carbohydrates caused by plant growth retardant had adverse effects on maize yield under low density

Qian

Ren

et al. 2022

Front. Plant Sci.

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Enhancing maize lodging resistance with plant growth retardants (PGRs) is common in maize production. However, the underlying mechanisms of yield formation as affected by PGRs are still poorly understood. A field experiment contained PGR application (a mixture of ethephon and cycocel, EC) with normal (T1) and double (T2) doses and water control (CK) was conducted at four maize plant densities (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 plants m−2) in 2020 and 2021. In this two-year study, the grain yield and kernel number per ear (KNE) of EC treatments were reduced by 4.8–9.0% and 3.3–12.2%, respectively, compared with CK under densities of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 plants m−2 without lodging. However, under the density of 9.0 plants m−2, EC treatments had no pronounced effects on grain yield and yield components. Across all densities, EC significantly decreased the leaf area index (LAI), and the lowest LAI was recorded in T2. The concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs; starch and soluble sugar) in the stem were significantly decreased by 9.9–10.2% in T2 averaged all densities. The sucrose and starch concentrations in grains also declined in the EC treatments. The key enzymes (cell wall acid invertase, sucrose synthase, and adenosine diphosphate pyrophosphorylase) and grain polyamine concentrations showed a slight downward trend under EC treatments compared to CK. NSCs in stems and grains, kernel enzyme activities, and polyamines in grains presented significant positive correlations with KNE. Additionally, structural carbohydrate (SC; including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) concentrations in stems were improved with enhanced lodging resistance by spraying EC. Significant negative relationships were observed between SC with kernel number m-2 (KNM) and yield, suggesting that improved SC in stems might affect the availability of NSCs for kernel set. Although the lowest kernel weight and KNE were obtained at 9.0 plant m−2, relatively high LAI still ensured high KNM and high yield. Collectively, EC treatment increased SC in stems, enhanced lodging resistance of maize and reduced NSC availability for kernels, ultimately presenting adverse effects on maize kernel number and yield under relative low density.

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Combating Dual Challenges in Maize Under High Planting Density: Stem Lodging and Kernel Abortion

Cited by 31 publications

References 244 publications

Nitrogen fertilization coupled with iron foliar application improves the photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, and the related enzymes of maize crops under different planting patterns

Nitrogen fertilization coupled with iron foliar application improves the photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency, and the related enzymes of maize crops under different planting patterns

Maize (Zea mays L.) Productivity and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Response to Nitrogen Application Levels and Time

Reduced stem nonstructural carbohydrates caused by plant growth retardant had adverse effects on maize yield under low density

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