A Dynamic Knowledge Model for Nitrogen Fertilizationin Wheat Management

By analyzing and extracting the research progress on nitrogen fertilization in wheat, a dynamic knowledge model for management decision-making on total nitrogen rate, ratios of organic to inorganic and of basal to dressing nitrogen under different environments and cultivars in wheat was developed with principle of nutrient balance and by integrating the quantitative effects of grain yield and quality targets, soil characters, variety traits and water management levels. Case studies on the nitrogen fertilization model with the data sets of different eco-sites, cultivars, soil fertility levels, grain yield and quality targets and water management levels indicate a good performance of the model system in decision-making and wide applicability.

Modified fertilization management of summer maize(Zea mays L.) in northern China improves grain yield and efficiency of nitrogen use

Improving the yield of maize grain per unit area is needed to meet the growing demand for it in China, where the availability of fertile land is very limited.Modified fertilization management and planting density are efficient methods for increasing crop yield.Field experiments were designed to investigate the influence of modified fertilization management and planting density on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of the popular maize variety Zhengdan 958, in four treatments including local farmer＇s practice（FP）, high-yielding and high efficiency cultivation（HH）, super high-yielding cultivation（SH）, and the control（CK）.Trials were conducted in three locations of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain in northern China.Compared with FP, SH was clearly able to promote N absorption and dry matter accumulation in post-anthesis, and achieve high yield and N use efficiency by increasing planting density and postponing the supplementary application of fertilizers.However, with an increase in planting density, the demand of N increased along with grain yield.Due to the input of too much N fertilizer, the efficiency of N use in SH was low.Applying less total N, ameliorating cultivation and cropping management practices should be considered as priority strategies to augment production potential and finally achieve synchronization between high yield and high N efficiency in fertile soils.However, in situations where soil fertility is low, achieving high yield and high N use efficiency in maize will likely depend on increased planting density and appropriate application of supplementary fertilizers postpone to the grain-filling stage.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate and Ratio on Lodging Resistance of Super Rice with Different Genotypes

The objective of this study was to determine the morphology mechanism of nitrogen （N） fertilizer rates and ratio on lodging resistance through analying its effects among lodging index （LI）, lodging-related morphological traits and physical strength in basal intemodes by comparing japonica and indica super rice cultivars. Field experiments, with three nitrogen levels （0, 150 and 300 kg ha-L） and two ratios of basal to topdressing （8：2 and 5：5） with two super rice cultivars （Yliangyou 2 and Wuyunjing 23）, were conducted in the Baolin Farm, Danyang Country, Jiangsu Province, China, in 2011 and 2012. Effects of N fertilizer rates and ratios on morphology of whole plant, morphology traits in basal intemodes and culm＇s physical strength parameters were investigated at 20 d after full heading stage. LI of Yliangyou 2 was significant greater than that of Wuyunjing 23 due to larger bending moment by whole plant （WP） with higher plant height and gravity center height. With higher volume of N fertilizer, LI of two super rice cultivars was increased conspicuously. However, no significant effect was detected with increase of panicle fertilizer ratio. The size of breaking strength （M） in basal intemodes was the key factor determining LI among N fertilizer treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that M value was positively related bending stress （BS） of Wuyunjing 23 and section modulus （Z） of Yliangyou 2, respectively. The higher N fertilizer levels induced reduction ofBS of Wuyunjing 23 due to weak culm and leaf sheath plumpness status and reduced Z of Yliangyou 2 owning to small diameter and culm wall thickness, consequently, influencing their M indirectly. These results suggested that breaking strength was the key factor influencing LI with increase of N fertilizer levels. However, the lodging-related morphology mechanism was different with genotypes. Culm wall thickness and diameter in basal internodes of indica super rice and culm and leaf sheath plumpness status of japonica super rice influenced breaking strength, as well as lodging index, respectively.