How delaying post-silking senescence in lower leaves of maize plants increases carbon and nitrogen accumulation and grain yield

Planting maize at high densities leads to early leaf senescence,and the resulting reduction in the number of lower leaves affects the plant’s root function and lowers its grain yield.However,the nature of the process by which lower leaf senescence affects biomass accumulation and grain yield formation in maize is not clear.This study aimed to shed light on how these factors are related by investigating the effects of the plant growth regulator 6-benzyladenine(6-BA)on the senescence of lower leaves of maize plants.In two maize cultivars planted at densities of 67,500(low density,LD)and 90,000(high density,HD)plants ha^(-1),plants treated with 6-BA maintained a high green leaf area index(LAI)longer than control(CK)plants,enabling them to maintain a higher photosynthetic rate for a longer period of time and produce more biomass before reaching physiological maturity.Spraying the lower leaves of maize plants with a 6-BA solution increased the distribution of;C-photosynthates to their roots,lower leaves and bracts,a result that can be ascribed to a decreased retention of;C-photosynthates in the stem and grain.In both seasons of the experiment,maize plants treated with 6-BA accumulated more N in grain and maintained a higher N content in roots and leaves,especially in lower leaves,than CK.Increased C assimilation in the lower leaves may explain why N uptake in plants subjected to the 6-BA treatment exceeded that in CK plants and why both photosynthesis rate and dry matter accumulation were maintained throughout grain filling.Our results suggest that a suitable distribution of C and N in leaves post-silking may maintain plant root function,increase N use efficiency,maximize the duration of high LAI,and increase grain yield.

Maize （Zea mays L.） Growth and Grain Yield under Conventional and Site-Specific Nitrogen Management in a Dryland Farming System

Large amount of pre-plant nitrogen （N） fertilizer results in low N use efficiency due to poor synchrony between soil N supply and maize N demand, especially during N sensitive growth stages. The objectives of the study were to compare growth and yield of maize （Zea rnays L.） under conventional and site-specific N management in a dryland farming system. The study, which was designed as randomized complete block design was conducted over three site-years under continuous maize cropping system in the semi-arid regions of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. Treatments of the study consisted of three N management strategies on a maize field planted to drought resistant SNK 2147 hybrid maize cultivar. Treatments were： （i） no N application （NO）, （ii） site-specific N at variable rates ranging between 18 kg N/ha and 33 kg N/ha based on soil analysis results （N l） and （iii） conventional and uniform N application broadcasted during planting at 58 kg N/ha （N2）. Sufficiency index as indication of N deficiency was determined using CCM-200 on maize leaves based on leaf numbers during maize vegetative growth stages V6, V10 and Vl4, and thereafter N was applied only when needed. The highest maize grain yield of 5.2 Mg/ha for N 1 was significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） than 3.2 Mg/ha and 4.0 Mg/ha of N0 and N2 in site-year I, respectively. Maize grain yield of 2.2 Mg/ha （Nl） at site-year ll was significantly higher （P _〈 0.05） than 1.7 Mg/ha of the NO. The maize growth and yield under N2 and N1 was compared, N1 required between 43% and 69% lesser N fertilizer as compared to N2 over site-years, and resulted in higher maize height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, and leaf area than that of conventional N management strategy. Therefore, site-specific N management strategy sustains and improves growth and yield of maize using minimal N fertilizer as compared to conventional approach in low fertility soils of semi-arid regions in dryland farming systems. In examining the results of this study, there was a consistent benefit of site-specific N management strategy on improving growth and yield of maize while saving fertilizer use in small-scale dryland maize farming system.

Effects of reducing and postponing controlled-release urea application on soil nitrogen regulation and maize grain yield

Controlled-release urea(CRU-N)fertilizer application is a solution to improve the utilization rate of nitrogen(N),reduces economic costs and improves crop yields.It is significant to study the effects of release CRU-N reduction and the combined application of conventional urea on soil N control and the large-scale maize planting system.In this study,the effects of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer reduction and postponement on soil nitrogen components,enzyme activities,and yields were investigated.Seven treatments were set up in this study,including no N fertilizer(CK),100%conventional urea(U),100%controlled-release urea(S),30%controlled-release urea(SU_(3/7)),50%controlled-release urea(SU_(5/5)),70%controlled-release urea(SU_(7/3))and Sodium Salt of Polyaspartic Acid(PASP)-N.The results showed that mixed CRU-N and urea increased yields and net benefits compared with conventional urea at the same application rate of N,and reduced N loss.The application of CRU-N at 70%for maize represented the best overall effects.Compared with U treatment,soil ammonium nitrogen(NH_(4)-N),soil nitrate-nitrogen(NO_(3)-N),and microbial biomass nitrogen(SMB-N)of CRU-N at 70%(SU_(7/3))increased by 35.00%,15.53%,and 25.04%.However,soil nitrate reductase(S-NR)and urease(S-UA)were the best in SU_(5/5) and significantly higher than other treatments.The applications of CRU-N would effectively increase soil N;CRU-N in 50%proportion can promote the maize root growth and improve the efficient utilization of N by soil microorganisms.Like the yields(9186.61 kg/hm^(2)),expertly in the proportion of 70%CRU-N(SU_(7/3))plays a vital role in a wheat-maize rotation system,which can potentially be used to improve the yields,nitrogen use efficiency,and net benefit with low N losses.In conclusion,using CRU-N fertilize effectively improves soil nitrogen,and various ratios of CRU-N can ensure the continuous release the nutrients during the growing period.And among the different proportions of CRU-N,it is optimal in SU_(7/3).

Improvement of Soil Fertility and Crop Yield through Biochar Amendment from Salt Affected Soil of Central China

Soil salinity has been considered a brutal environmental factor for decreasing crop yield due to the accumulation of excessive sodium salts in soil under arid and semi-arid region of the world. This study tries to address the potential use of biochar. An organic matter rich material, used to reclaim salt-stressed soil in order to enhance crop production in dry croplands as well as to increase soil organic carbon （SOC） and to improve soil fertility. In this regard, a field experiment for two years was conducted in a moderately salt-stressed soil of Central China with wheat-maize cropping system. The soil was amended with biochar composted with poultry manure （BPC） at 12 t/ha with diluted pyroligneous solution （PS） at 0.15 t/ha a week before sowing of crop. Results showed significant improvement in soil physical properties, soil nutrient content with reduction of sodium salts and soil pH by amendment of BPC-PS1 and BPC-PS2 over the experimental control salt-stressed cropland. Furthermore, wheat and maize grain yield, nitrogen, phosphorous potassium and K/Na ratio increased while sodium decreased with the application of BPC-PS amendment in wheat and maize grain. This study concluded that the biochar amendment in conjunction with PS greatly improved SOC storage, crop nutrient uptake and soil fertility. Thus, waste treatment of crop straw and poultry manure compost as biochar could be combined to alleviate salt stress and improve crop production in the vast area of arid and semi-arid regions of the world.

Nutrient uptake,maximum yield production,and economic return of maize under deficit irrigation with biochar and inorganic fertiliser amendments

The individual and combined effects of biochar(B)and inorganic fertiliser(F)have all been widely proofed to improve soil fertility and enhance crop growth and yield under irrigation(I)and rain fed conditions.However,the strength of their individual and combined effects on crop productivity has been scarcely reported.In addition,few studies have assessed their individual and co-application effects on economic returns.Therefore,a 2-year field experiment which consisted of factorial combination of irrigation(I)[100%full irrigation(FI),80%FI and 60%FI],biochar(0 and 20 t/ha)and fertiliser(0 and 300 kg/ha)was conducted.According to the results,irrigation was the dominant factor that influences maize grain yield,followed by inorganic fertiliser and biochar,and they were all significant in their main effects.The strength of interaction effects among,I,F and B on maize grain yield follow the sequence F×I>B×F>B×I.The economic analysis showed that the ternary combination of B,F and I was more economical than the binary combination of B plus I,and F plus I(in that order),when compared with the standalone application of I at maximum production in the field experiment.In addition,combined applications of biochar and fertiliser improved soil nutrients,nutrient uptake in all irrigation treatments,compared to the standalone applications of biochar or fertiliser.Further research is,therefore,recommended for long-term evaluation of the economic viability of integrating biochar with fertiliser under irrigation.

Role of alternate and fixed partial root-zone drying on water use efficiency and growth of maize(Zea mays L.)in gypsiferous soils

Alternate partial root-zone drying(APRD)is a water-saving method but can regulate crop physiological responses.A pot experiment has been conducted to study the efficiency of partial and fixed root-zone drying on the growth and production of maize(Zea mays L)in addition to the water use efficiency in soils with different gypsum content.The experimental treatments include three irrigation treatments,i.e.Conventional Irrigation(CI),Alternate Partial Root-zone Drying(APRD)and Fixed Partial Root-zone Drying(FPRD),and three soils with different gypsum content"(60.0[G1],153.7[G2],and 314.2[G3]g kg^(-1))".The vegetative growth,root dry mass and physiological indices(leaf relative water content,carotenoid concentration,proline)have been studied during three stages of maize plant growth(jointing,tasselling,and maturing).The Results showed that compared to CI,APRD and FPRD increased water use efficiency by 38.93 and 14.94%based on dry seed yield.In addition,compared to CI,APRD increased maize seed yield by 4.62-20.71%,while FPRD decreased yield by 19.24-5.28%for the gypsiferous soils G2 and G3,respectively.APRD has a slight effect on leaf water potential,leaf relative water content,carotenoid and proline activities from jointing to maturing stages at the three gypsiferous soils.Results suggest that APRD could make maize plants use water even more productively with better adaptation to water shortages in the gypsiferous soils.

Effects of Integrated Soil-Crop System Management on Soil Organic Carbon Characteristics in a Primosol in Northeast China

A synchronous increase in crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and soil carbon(C) sequestration is important from the point of view of food security and environmental protection. In recent years, integrated soil-crop system management(ISSM), which uses crop models and advanced nutrient management to redesign cropping systems, has been successfully demonstrated to achieve both high crop productivity and high nutrient use efficiency in China, but the effects of ISSM on soil organic C(SOC) characteristics remain unknown. In this study, the effects of current farmers' practice(FP), high-yielding practice(HY), which maximizes yields without considering costs, and ISSM on the content and chemical composition of SOC were studied in a 4-year(2009–2013) field plot experiment with maize(Zea mays L.) monoculture in an Alluvic Primosol in Northeast China. The ISSM resulted in higher soil total organic C(TOC), water-soluble organic C, easily-oxidizable organic C, particulate organic C, and humic acid C compared with HY and FP in the region. The SOC contents in aggregate size fractions generally followed a similar pattern to TOC. Compared with FP,HY decreased the mean weight diameter, geometric mean diameter, percentage of > 0.25-mm water-stable aggregates, and the stability ratio of water-stable aggregates, and increased the structure-deterioration rate and index of unstable aggregates. The opposite trend was observed between ISSM and HY. Solid-state ^(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of bulk soil showed that ISSM had higher O-alkyl C and aliphatic C/aromatic C ratio, but lower aromatic C, carbonyl C, and alkyl C/O-alkyl C and hydrophobic C/hydrophilic C ratios than HY and FP. Our results suggest that ISSM improves the quantity and quality of SOC and has a positive effect on soil aggregation and aggregate stability.