Contrasting patterns of accumulation,partitioning,and remobilization of biomass and phosphorus in a maize cultivar

Maize growth,organ development,and yield formation are highly controlled by the manner in which the plant captures,partition,and remobilizes biomass and phosphorus(P).Better understanding of biomass and P accumulation,partition,and remobilization processes will improve modeling of crop resource use.However,there is still a lack of detailed data to parameterize the modeling of these processes,particula rly for modern maize cultivars.A two-year(2016 and 2017)field experiment with three P fertilization treatments(0(P0),75(P75),and 300(P300)kg P_(2)O_(5)ha^(-1))was conducted on a Fluvo-aquic soil(Quzhou,Hebei province,China)to collect data and quantify key processes for a representative modern maize cultivar(Zhengdan 958)widely grown in China.The proportions of biomass and P partitioned into various maize organs were unaffected by P application rate.Zhengdan 958 showed a much lower leaf-senescence rate than older cultivars,resulting in post-silking leaf photosynthesis being sufficient to meet grain biomass demand.In contrast,50%-85%of leaf P and 15%-50%of stem P accumulated pre-silking were remobilized into grain,in spite of the large proportion of post-silking P uptake.Our results are consistent with the theory that plants use resources according to the priority order of re-allocation from senescence followed by assimilation and uptake,with the re-translocation of reserves last.The results also enabled us to estimate the threshold P concentrations of Zhengdan 958 for modeling crop P demand.The critical leaf P concentration for individual leaves was 0.25%-0.30%,with a corresponding specific leaf P(SLP)of 75-100 mg P m^(-2).The structural P concentration for leaf was 0.01%,corresponding to an SLP of 3.8 mg P m^(-2).The maximum P concentrations of leaves and stems were 0.33%and 0.29%.The residual P concentration for stems was 0.006%.