Interrelationship of nitrogen nutrition with maize (Zea mays) grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and grain quality

Abstract

Eight maize (Zea mays L) hybrids were grown under five N levels with or without the nitrification inhibitor, nitrapyrin (2-chloro-[6-trichloro-methyl] pyridine), to evaluate N interactions relative to yield performance, N use efficiency, grain protein concentration, and kernel texture. Results indicate that maize hybrids can be grouped into three categories based on grain yield: (1) low N-responsive types which reach their maximum yield with 134 kg ha-' of applied N ; (2) intermediate types that respond to moderate N levels (134 to 201 kg N ha-'); and (3) high N-responsive types that respond to higher levels of N (201 kg N ha-'). High N-responsive types, in general, increased yield with nitrapyrin treatment at all levels of N. Crop N utilisation efficiency for high Nresponsive hybrids decreased, but was static for low N-responsive hybrids as N fertiliser increased. In general, as the grain yield of a hybrid increased in response to N, the concentration of protein in the kernel increased; although grain yields and protein concentration are negatively correlated among hybrids. Increased kernel translucence, an indicator of kernel hardness induced by N fertiliser, correlated highly positive with zein proteins. Isoelectric focusing analysis showed that increases in zein were primarily due to a quantitative increase in a-and y-zein polypeptides. This study indicates that hybrids are different in their N requirements for maximum yield. Low N conditions not only restrict grain yield but also affect kernel textural quality.

Changes in Chemical Composition of Jute Seed as Influenced by Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers

“…5 illustrated the similar scenario that amino acid decreased with the increase of protein in jute seed. Tsai et al (1992) reported that protein content increased from applied nitrogen which was accompanied by an increase in the amount of zein present in the endosperm. Increase in zein content in endosperm reduces the lysine and tryptophan concentrations, thus reducing the total free amino acid.…”

Long-Term Effects of Nitrogen Management Practices on Grain Yield, Nitrogen Uptake, and Efficiency in Irrigated Corn

“…It has been generally agreed that despite the mobile nature of N, a source that releases N slowly when the crop is not in need, and that makes it available when the crop is growing fast and assimilation is at its peak would improve uptake and efficiency. Tsai et al (1992) suggested the use of ammonium-N (NH 4 -N) fertilizers can reduce leaching and denitrification losses and allow extended availability for late season uptake. Several researchers demonstrated this by quantifying the benefit of NH 4 based N sources (Wang and Below, 1992).…”

Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield and Yield Components to Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization

“…Maize growing is influenced by many environmental factors (Wolf and Van Diepen, 1995;Olesen and Bindi, 2002;Kovačević et al, 2009;Olesen et al, 2011), management systems (Tsai et al, 1992;Tolk et al, 1999;Pandey et al, 2000;Kirda et al, 2005;Josipović et al, 2012) and genetic factors. Clark et al (1999), Abbas et al (2005), Hammad et al (2012) and Azizian and Speaskhah (2014) have stated that amount of plant available water and nitrogen are the most important factors for plant production.…”