Effects of Planting Density and Nitrogen Amount on Stalk Lodging-Resistance and Yield of Summer Maize in Sichuan Basin

[Objective] The experiment was conducted to explore the suitable planting density and nitrogen amount for summer maize in Sichuan Basin with the objective to provide technical reservation and scientific basis for high-yielding cultivation technique.[Method] A widely planted maize cultivar ＇Chengdan 30＇ was used as experimental material to study the effects of planting density and nitrogen amount on the stalk agronomic traits,stalk lodging-resistance mechanical characters,stalk breaking percentage and yield of maize.Experiment was arranged in a two-factor split plot design with three replicates.The planting density was the main factor with three density gradients（4.5×10^4,6.0×10^4 and 7.5×10^4 plants/hm^2） and the nitrogen amount was the second factor with two different levels of nitrogen content（300 and 375 kg/hm^2）.[Result] The stalk lodging-resistance and yield were affected by planting density significantly.The increase of planting density would result in an increase of internode length and decrease of internode diameter,dry matter weight of per unit stalk length,rind penetration strength and breaking resistance of 3rd and 4th basal internodes.When planting density increased from 6.0×10^4 plants/hm2 to 7.5×10^4 plants/hm^2,the stalk breaking percentage in the whole growing season increased by 17.17%,and the yield reduced by 17.58%.The interaction between planting density and nitrogen amount affected the stalk breaking percentage in the whole growing season and yield significantly.The treatment with planting density of 6.0×104 plants/hm^2 and nitrogen amount of 375 kg/hm^2 of pure N was an optimal combination,which may not only control the stalk breaking percentage of whole growing stage effectively,but also could obtain an optimum grain yield.[Conclusion] In Sichuan Basin,the appropriate planting density and nitrogen amount for summer maize were 6.0×10^4 plants/hm^2 and 375 kg/hm^2.

Device for determining critical wind speed of stalk breaking to evaluate maize lodging resistance

The accurate evaluation of the lodging resistance of maize plants can provide a basis for the breeding of lodging-resistant cultivars and the regulation of cultivation measures.However,the traditional methods for evaluating maize lodging resistance in terms of plant morphology and stalk mechanical strength have certain limitations.The objective of this research was to develop a device for determining the critical wind speed of maize stalk breaking.The device was equipped with a centrifugal fan to supply airflow and was powered by a frequency conversion motor.The frequency converter adjusted the motor speed and thus adjusted the wind speed.The wind speed decreased first and then increased with increasing height above the outlet of the device,and maximum wind speed can reach 40 m/s.This device was convenient for transportation in the field,has a low cost,and can quickly,accurately,and objectively determine the lodging resistance.Field tests showed that the device ran stably for a long time.The coefficient of variation of three repeated measurements was between 1.5%and 4.8%for four maize cultivars.The new device can measure the critical wind speed of maize lodging and identify the lodging resistance for different maize cultivars,cultivation practices,and plant health conditions,and can thus overcome barriers to measuring the maize lodging resistance under natural wind conditions.