Nitrogen fertilization modifies maize yield response to tillage and stubble in a sub-humid tropical environment

Climate change and variability impact on staple food crops present a daunting challenge in the 21st century. The study assesses future climate variability on maize and rice yield over a 30-year period by comparing the outcomes under two GCM models, namely, CSIRO_RCP4.5 and NOAA_RCP4.5 of Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration respectively. Historical climate data and yield data were used to establish correlations and then subsequently used to project future yields between 2021 and 2050. Using the average yield data for the period 1987-2016 as baseline yield data, future yield predictions for 2021-2030, 2031-2040 and 2041-2050 were then compared with the baseline data. The results showed that the future maize and rice yield would be vulnerable to climate variability with CSIRO_RCP4.5 showing increase in maize yield whilst CSIRO_RCP4.5 gives a better projection for rice yield. Furthermore, the results estimated the percentage mean yield gain for maize under CSIRO_RCP4.5 and NOAA_ RCP4.5 by about 17 %, 31 % and 48 % for the period 2021-2030, 2031-2040 and 2041-2050 respectively. Mean rice yield lossess of -23 %, -19 % and -23 % were expected for the same period respectively. The study recommended the use of improved rice and maize cultivars to offset the negative effects of climate variability in future.

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The Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization and the Use of Biostimulants on the Yield of Two Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) Cultivated for Grain

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10091408 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1408

Author(s):

Krzysztof Kapela ◽

Anna Sikorska ◽

Marek Niewęgłowski ◽

Ewa Krasnodębska ◽

Krystyna Zarzecka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

Control Object ◽

Maize Yield ◽

Family Farm ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Set Up ◽

Hybrid Cultivar ◽

The Impact

The field experiment was carried out in 2015–2017 on a family farm in Toczyski Czortki, in the Mazovia voivodeship in Poland. The experiment was set up in a split–split–plot system in three replications. The area of one plot was 30 m−2. The studied factors were: I—two maize varieties: PR38N86 (medium late hybrid cultivar 280 FAO), P8400 (medium early hybrid cultivar 240 FAO); II—four doses of nitrogen fertilization: 1. control object—without the use of nitrogen (0 kg N·ha−1), 2. nitrogen dose—80 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing), 3. nitrogen dose—120 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing), 4. nitrogen dose—160 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing); III—four types of biostimulants used: 1. control object—without using a biostimulant, 2. Asahi®SL biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, 3. Improver® biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 1.00 dm3∙ha−1, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, 4. Zeal® biostimulant: I term—six-leaf phase (BBCH 16) at a dose of 2.00 dm3∙ha−1. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization and the use of biostimulants on the size and quality of yield of two varieties of maize grown for grain. Based on the conducted research, it was found that nitrogen doses influenced the amount of maize grain obtained. The highest yields were obtained using 120 kg N∙ha−1. Nitrogen doses significantly affected the studied maize yield components. The dose of 120 kg N∙ha−1 increased the number of grains in the cob, while the dose—160 kg N∙ha−1 exerted the best effect on obtaining the highest values of a thousand seeds. The biostimulants used in the experiment significantly affected the mass of one thousand seeds and the number of grains in the cob. In addition, Asahi®SL, Improver® and Zeal® biostimulants increased maize yield in each growing season studied.

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