Variability for Nitrogen Management in Genetically-Distant Maize (Zea mays L.) Lines: Impact of Post-Silking Nitrogen Limiting Conditions

Abstract

The impact of nitrogen (N)-limiting conditions after silking on kernel yield (KY)-related traits and whole plant N management was investigated using fifteen maize lines representative of plant genetic diversity in Europe and America. A large level of genetic variability of these traits was observed in the different lines when post-silking fertilization of N was strongly reduced. Under such N-fertilization conditions, four different groups of lines were identified on the basis of KY and kernel N content. Although the pattern of N management, including N uptake and N use was variable in the four groups of lines, a number of them were able to maintain both a high yield and a high kernel N content by increasing shoot N remobilization. No obvious relationship between the genetic background of the lines and their mode of N management was found. When N was limiting after silking, N remobilization appeared to be a good predictive marker for identifying maize lines that were able to maintain a high yield and a high kernel N content irrespective of their female flowering date. The use of N remobilization as a trait to select maize genotypes adapted to low N input is discussed.

Evaluation of Nitrogen Nutrition in Diminishing Water Deficiency at Different Growth Stages of Maize by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters

“…Nitrogen (N) is one of the most important nutrients in crop production, but the application of this element often exceeds crop demands. N use efficiency of genotypes is different [4,5]. A decrease in N use efficiency was observed at higher rates of N fertilizers [6].…”

Multivariate Interaction Analysis of Zea mays L. Genotypes Growth Productivity in Different Environmental Conditions

“…In addition to outstanding progress in the selection of new maize genotypes, the potential of maize yield is largely affected by abiotic and biotic factors, themselves determined by a certain combination of different factors, such as soil and climatic conditions, solar radiation, quality of seed, genetic performance, the potential for hybrids, and field management practices [2][3][4]. Since it is projected that the world population will increase to nine billion people by the year 2050, certain estimates indicate that agricultural production will have to increase by at least 70% [5,6]. Globally, with the genetic improvement of new maize genotypes (followed by improvements in appropriate agronomic technology and practices), grain yield increased by an average of 111 kg ha −1 per year between 1965 and 2012 [7], with 60% of this improvement having been achieved with regard to production based on hybrids [8].…”