Effects of nitrogen application stage on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of high-yield summer maize

Abstract

This study aims to explore the optimum nitrogen (N) application method by analyzing effects of variable N application stages and ratios on the N absorption and translocation of high-yield summer maize (DH661). The study included field experiments and 15 N isotopic dilutions for pot experiments. Results showed that the yield was not increased in a one-off N application at the jointing stage. The uptake of fertilizer-derived N in the grain increased with the increasing of N applied t imes. Compared to a single or double application, total N uptake (N up ) and biomass increased significantly by supplying N at the six-leaf stage (V6), ten-leaf stage (V10) and 10 days after anthesis in ratios of 3:5:2 and 2:4:4. The fertilizer-derived recovery rates were 67.5% and 78.1%, respectively. The uptake and utilization of fertilizer-derived N was enhanced by increasing the recovery rate of N supplied after anthesis, and reducing the absorption of soil-derived N. Therefore, the 2:4:4 application ratios was the optimal N application method.

Evaluation of water and nitrogen use efficiencies in a double cropping system under different integrated management practices based on a model approach

“…Improving NUE is important to better match the temporal and spatial fertilizer supply with crop demand (Tilman et al, 2002). Recently, a number of studies on super high yield showed that multi-split fertilization and increasing fertilization rate at late crop growth stages could increase yield and NUE (Lü et al, 2011a(Lü et al, , 2011bWang et al, 2011). Similar results were found in our study.…”

“…The nutrient surplus at the filling stage also played an important role in crop yield. Lü et al (2011b) reported that the grain yield of summer maize under the super-high yield conditions improved not only with increasing fertilization times but also with fertilizer application at the grain filling stage. In the present study, the HY practice had the largest water and fertilizer inputs and the highest planting density; thus, the grain yields under this practice were the highest.…”

“…Recently, some new agricultural management practices have been suggested by agronomists for improving grain yield and resource (e.g., water and fertilizer) use efficiency (Jin et al, 2012;Lü et al, 2011aLü et al, , 2011b. These management practices include cropping system, planting date, planting density, and tillage practice.…”

Modelling to increase the eco-efficiency of a wheat–maize double cropping system

“…For the summer maize crop, since its growing period coincides with the summer rainy season, irrigation is not necessary in most years. To maintain the maximum yield level of both crops, the recommended nitrogen (N) application rate ranges from 150 to 240 kg N/ha/year for wheat and 90 to 360 kg N/ha/year for maize, respectively (Du et al, 2009;Liang et al, 2011;Lü et al, 2011;Qin, 2012;Wang et al, 2009;Wang, 2004b;Wu, 2005;Zhang, 2009;Zhao et al, 2006). While such recommendations aim to target the maximum crop productivity, high rates of water and N inputs often result in low resource use efficiency.…”

Nitrogen and phosphorus resorption of Artemisia scoparia, Chenopodium acuminatum, Cannabis sativa, and Phragmites communis under nitrogen and phosphorus additions in a semiarid grassland, China

“…Many ecosystems in China experience increases in nutrient availability due to fertilizer applications (Lü et al 2012) and atmospheric N deposition in recent decades (Lü and Tian 2007). Semi-arid ecosystems such as the Keerqin sandy grasslands, characterized by nutrient deficiency, may be particularly sensitive to changes in nutrient availability.…”