Identifying Ways to Narrow Maize Yield Gaps Based on Plant Density Experiments

Abstract

Exploring the maximum grain yields (GYs) and GY gaps in maize (Zea mays L.) can be beneficial for farmer to identify the GY-limiting factors and take adaptive management practices for a higher GY. The objective of this work was to identify the optimum maize plant density range and the ways to narrow maize GY gaps based on the variation of the GYs, dry matter (DM) accumulation and remobilization with changes in plant density. Field experiments were performed at the 71 Group and Qitai Farm in Xinjiang, China. Two modern cultivars, ZhengDan958 and ZhongDan909, were planted at 12 densities, ranging from 1.5 to 18 plants m−2. With increased plant density, single plant DM decreased exponentially, whereas population-level DM at the pre- (DMBS) and post- (DMAS) silking stages increased, and the amount of DM remobilization (ARDM) increased exponentially. Further analysis showed that plants were divided four density ranges: range I (<6.97 plants m−2), in which no DM remobilization occurred, DMBS and DMAS correlated significantly with GY; range II (6.97–9.54 plants m−2), in which the correlations of DMBS, DMAS, and ARDM with GY were significant; range III (9.54–10.67 plants m−2), in which GY and DMAS were not affected by density, DMBS increased significantly, and only the correlation of DMAS with GY was significant; and range IV (>10.67 plants m−2), in which the correlations of DMBS and ARDM with GY decreased significantly, while that of DMAS increased significantly. Therefore, ranges I and II were considered to be DM-dependent ranges, and a higher GY could be obtained by increasing the population-level DMAS, DMAS, and ARDM. Range III was considered the GY-stable range, increasing population-level DMBS, as well as preventing the loss of harvest index were the best way to enhance maize production. Range IV was interpreted as the GY-loss range, and a higher GY could be obtained by preventing the loss of HI and population-level DMAS.

Rendimiento de grano, forraje y calidad forrajera de nuevos híbridos de maíz de Valles Altos

“…Se puede considerar que el porcentaje de mazorcas fue la variable que incidió directamente al rendimiento de materia verde, esto se debe a que cuando aumenta la densidad de población (de 65 000 a 80 000 plantas ha -1 ) aumenta la intercepción de la radiación fotosintética activa por el dosel, promoviendo así la acumulación de materia seca a nivel de población, especialmente para las variedades tempranas (Li et al, 2020), en este sentido, la primera fecha de siembra de los genotipos, con una diferencia de 28 días con respecto a la segunda fecha en la primera localidad y 10 días con respecto a la segunda, repercutieron directamente en el rendimiento de forraje.…”

Potencial de Bacillus nativos de la Comarca Lagunera como biofertilizante en la producción de maíz forrajero

“…En cuanto al área foliar (AF), Li et al (2020) mencionan que cuando se aumenta la intercepción de la radiación fotosintética activa por el dosel, se promueve la acumulación de materia seca de manera general, lo cual podría explicar las correlaciones positivas y altamente significativas de esta variable con todas las demás evaluadas. Desde el punto de vista del factor de estudio que son las BPCV, el crecimiento radical estimulado por los tratamientos donde se aplicaron las bacterias pudo haber propiciado mayor absorción de nutrientes y agua.…”

Increasing Planting Density and Optimizing Irrigation to Improve Maize Yield and Water-Use Efficiency in Northeast China

“…This is because different varieties and densities create different canopy structures and population productivity. In particular, compact density-tolerant varieties can construct an ideal canopy structure with a high light interception rate, increase the photosynthetic area, and improve population productivity [7,8]. Planting density significantly affects maize yield [9,10], with the latter increasing with planting density [11][12][13].…”