Soil physical properties, nitrogen uptake and grain quality of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by tillage systems and nitrogen application

Abstract

Soil compaction is a global issue pertaining to agricultural lands. The frequent use of farm machinery and field operations at the same depth are the major causes of soil compaction. The gradual increase in soil compaction deteriorates maize grain quality due to reduced nitrogen (N) uptake. Quality food production by reducing soil compaction is the need of time, which can be achieved through deep tillage and N management. In this study, three tillage systems viz. conventional tillage (using cultivator), tillage with mould board plough +2-cultivations (MBP), and tillage with chisel plough +2-cultivations (CP); and three nitrogen levels viz. 100, 150 and 200 kg ha–1 were used to evaluate their effect on soil properties, N uptake and grain quality in maize. Lower bulk density (1.41 Mg m–3), higher total porosity (0.47 m3 m–3) and higher nitrogen uptake (96.01 kg ha–1) was recorded under chisel plough (CP) compared with other tillage systems. Different N levels had significant effect on grain and total N uptake and grain quality, while soil properties remains unaffected. Higher N uptake was recorded with 200 kg ha–1 N application than other treatments. Similarly, 8.51% and 8.57% more grain protein contents were recorded with 200 kg ha–1 N during first and second year respectively. Unlike grain protein, starch and oil contents were negatively affected by N application being higher starch (71.7%) and oil contents (3.41%) with less N supply (100 kg ha–1). However, interaction effect of tillage and nitrogen levels was found non-significant for all studied parameters except for oil contents. Higher oil contents were recorded with MBP along with 100 kg ha–1 N application. Overall study indicated that deep ploughing with CP is important for maize to explore more soil area for nutrient uptake and N is also important for improving grain quality especially protein contents an important food constituent.

The Contribution of Soil Tillage and Nitrogen Rate to the Quality of Maize Grain

“…The higher the amount of N fertiliser applied, the greater the protein content in maize grains is [20], even though the correlation between GY and protein content for the higher N rate was negative (r = −0.193), indicating that the application of 240 kg N ha −1 was more directed towards GY increase than protein content increase in maize grain. Contrary to proteins, the starch content was negatively affected by the greater N application [46] and was the highest in the N1 treatment without the N fertiliser, 72.64%. Results of the study carried out by Singh et al [18] showed that maize GY increased from 10.5 t ha −1 with no N application, to 11.5 t ha −1 at the higher N3 level of 202 kg N ha −1 .…”

“…The interaction of the soil tillage system and the N rate with the year of investigation very significantly influenced all observed parameters, while the interaction of soil tillage and the N rate was significant for majority of the tested parameters, but not for the GSH, phenols and Phy content. Results obtained by Wasaya et al [46], proved that interactions between deeper soil tillage and a higher N level did not significantly affect either yield or the contents of oil, protein and starch in maize grain. In this research, it was demonstrated that lower N inputs and lesser intensive tillage (T1 and T2) were more important for the accumulation of starch, oil, and P i in grain.…”

“…In this research, it was demonstrated that lower N inputs and lesser intensive tillage (T1 and T2) were more important for the accumulation of starch, oil, and P i in grain. Wasaya et al [46] also reported that the higher N uptake and protein accumulation in maize grain were recorded with the N rate increase of up to 200 kg N ha −1 , while the contents of starch and oil had an opposite trend: they were higher with a lower N supply (100 kg N ha −1 ). Nevertheless, the content of phytate, GSH and carotenoids increased with soil tillage intensification and the application of higher N rates.…”

Effects of Nitrogen Rates on the Physicochemical Properties of Waxy Maize Starch

“…The starch content of SYN5 under HN was higher than that under LN, whereas YN7 exhibited a different trend ( Figure ). Moderate N rates enhanced starch accumulation in rice, wheat, and normal maize . The high starch content under MN might be attributed to the increased number of cells and starch granules in the endosperm because of the enhanced activities of soluble and bound invertases and sucrose synthase .…”

Вплив Системи Удобрення Та Основного Обробітку Ґрунту На Продуктивність Гібридів Кукурудзи

“…Водночас у посушливі роки зернова продуктивність культури у разі мінімального обробітку ґрунту була вищою, ніж при традиційному [13]. Проведені дослідження інших авторів також підкреслюють позитивний вплив різних систем обробітку ґрунту на урожай і показники якості зерна кукурудзи [14][15][16].…”