Nutrient Uptake of Maize Affected by Nitrogen and Potassium Fertility in a Humid Subtropical Environment

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertility management of maize (Zea mays L.) in the humid subtropical Mississippi Delta may differ from a temperate climate because of its use in rotation with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soil temperatures rarely falling to 08C, and heavy winter rains that facilitate nutrient losses. An experiment to determine the [N] (concentration ¼ [ ]), phosphorus [P], [K], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], iron [Fe], manganese [Mn], zinc [Zn], and copper [Cu] and their total contents plant 21 of maize grown in rotation with cotton, using N fertility levels of (134, 179, 224, 269, and 314 kg N ha 21) in combination with K fertility levels of (0, 45, 90, and 134 kg K ha 21) was conducted in 2000 and 2001 at Tribbett, MS. Ear leaves, immature ears, and husks collected at growth stage R2 and grain and stover collected 21 days after R6 were dried, weighed, and analyzed for nutrient concentration. Plots were also harvested for yield, kernel weight, grain bulk density, and harvest index (HI). Increased [N] values of about 1.3 mg g 21 occurred in all organs except the stover between 134 and 314 kg N ha 21 N fertility. Stover [N] increased approximately 3.0 mg g 21 within the same N fertility range. Total N content of ear leaves, grain, and stover increased by about 11.0, 550.0, and 730.0 mg plant 21 , respectively, with N fertility increased from 134 to 314 kg N ha 21. Yields, kernel weights, grain bulk densities, and harvest indices also increased with added N fertility. Several micronutrient concentrations and contents increased as N fertility increased.

Effect of long-term potassium fertilization on the chemical composition of Oriental tobacco

“…The results of Bruns and Ebelhar (2006) similarly demonstrate that K fertilization does not affect the concentration of P in the maize organs.…”

Maize grain concentrations and above-ground shoot acquisition of micronutrients as affected by intercropping with turnip, faba bean, chickpea, and soybean

“…In a previous study, N application increased the maize grain Mn concentration [10]. Another study showed that increasing the N supply significantly improved yield, but it had little effect on maize grain Zn concentration [12].…”

“…Application of N fertilizer increased the concentration of Mn in the grain, but the higher grain yield resulting from N fertilization resulted in a grain Zn 'dilution' effect [10]. Increasing N supply significantly improved the yield but had little effect on the grain Zn concentration in maize [12]. In addition, modern maize varieties with higher yields tend to contain lower concentrations of micronutrients in the grain, compared with those in grain of the lower-yield conventional varieties [10].…”

Nitrogen use efficiency of maize and spring barley under potassium fertilization in long-term field experiment

“…The increase of NUE is consequence of enhanced uptake and improved utilization by the crop. However, yield response to potassium fertilization depends to a great extent on the level of nitrogen supply (Bruns and Ebelhar 2006, Brennan and Bolland 2007, 2009). …”