Root physiological adaptations that enhance the grain yield and nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L) and their dependency on phosphorus placement depth

Abstract Context: Soil fertility depletion and soil acidity are critical problems for maize (Zea mays L) production in western Ethiopia. Objective: Therefore, a field experiment was conducted on Nitisols of Assosa Agricultural Research Centre during 2016 to2017 cropping season to investigate the response of growth, yield and nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) to different blended fertilizer rates and types. Methods: The treatments consists of: control, three rates of N and P combined (92/46, 115/57 and 138/69 N/P2O5 kg ha− 1 and two formula of blended fertilizers with different rates, formula 2 consists of 100 kg NPSB + 73.9 N, 150 kg NPSB + 110.8 N and 200 kg NPSB + 147.8 N kg ha− 1 and formula 4 consists of 100 kg NPSZnB + 75.1 N, 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N 1 and 200 kg NPSZnB + 150.2 N kg ha− 1. The treatments were laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Result and and conclusion: Application of blended fertilizers (NPSB, NPSZnB) hastened days to tasseling silking and maturity by 10, 7 and 15 days, respectively as compared to combined N and P rates. Application of blended fertilizer increases significantly (p ≤ 0.01) the plant height, cob weight, ear length, 100 kernels weight, number of kernels per row and ear height as compared to combined N and P and the control. The analysis of variance revealed that fertilizer types and rates significantly (P ≤ 0.01) affected on grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. However there was no significant difference between the two blended fertilizer types. Maximum grain yield (7056.2 kg ha− 1 ) was recorded with 200 Kg NPSZnB + 150.2 N kg ha− 1 application, while minimum grain yield 2996.0 kg ha− 1 was recorded from control treatment. The application of 150 kg NPSB + 110.8 N kg ha− 1had highest Marginal rate of return (MRR%) and net benefit. Significance: Therefore, we recommended the treatment (150 Kg NPSB + 110.8N kg ha− 1) since it produced high marginal rate of return, high net benefit and relatively small total cost of production, for maize production in Asossa area. Furthermore, based on yield, net benefit and relatively low total cost of production the farmer of Asossa area also can use 150 kg NPSZnB + 112.6 N in case of absence of NPSB in market.

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Use of Carbon Nanoparticles to Improve Soil Fertility, Crop Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Corn (Zea mays L.)

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11102717 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2717

Author(s):

Fengliang Zhao ◽

Xiaoping Xin ◽

Yune Cao ◽

Dan Su ◽

Puhui Ji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Carbon Nanoparticles ◽

Zea Mays L ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Application Rates ◽

Nutrient Use ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Dose Dependent

The use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as a fertilizer synergist to enhance crop growth has attracted increasing interest. However, current understanding about plant growth and soil response to CNPs is limited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CNPs at different application rates on soil properties, the plant growth and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of corn (Zea mays L.) in two agricultural soils (Spodosol and Alfisol). The results showed that CNPs affected corn growth in a dose-dependent manner, augmenting and retarding growth at low and at high concentrations, respectively. The amendment at the optimal rate of 200 mg CNPs kg−1 significantly enhanced corn growth as indicated by improved plant height, biomass yield, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency, which could be explained by the higher availability of phosphorus and nitrogen in the amended soils. The application of CNPs largely stimulated soil urease activity irrespectively of soil types. However, the responses of dehydrogenase and phosphatase to CNPs were dose dependent; their activity significantly increased with the increasing application rates of CNPs up to 200 mg kg−1 but declined at higher rates (>400 mg kg−1). These findings have important implications in the field application of CNPs for enhancing nutrient use efficiency and crop production in tropical/subtropical regions.

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Maize (Zea mays L.) nutrient use efficiency as affected by formulatedfertilizer with Clinoptilolite Zeolite

Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture ◽

10.9755/ejfa.v26i3.16183 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 284 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Magdalina Lija ◽

Ahmed Kasim

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Zea Mays L ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Nutrient Use ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Clinoptilolite Zeolite

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Simulation of fertilizer requirement for irrigated wheat in Eastern India using the QUEFTS model

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1100/tsw.2006.43 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 231-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Debtanu Maiti ◽

D.K. Das ◽

H. Pathak

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Tropical Soils ◽

Crop Modeling ◽

Eastern India ◽

Site Specific ◽

Nutrient Use ◽

Use Efficiency

Crop modeling can provide us with information about fertilizer dose to achieve the target yield, crop conditions, etc. Due to conventional and imbalanced fertilizer application, nutrient use efficiency in wheat is low. Estimation of fertilizer requirements based on quantitative approaches can assist in improving yields and nutrient use efficiency. Field experiments were conducted at 20 sites in eastern India (Nadia district of West Bengal) to assess the soil supply, requirement, and internal efficiency of N, P, K, and Zn in wheat. The data were used to calibrate the QUEFTS (Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils) model for site-specific, balanced fertilizer recommendations. The parameters of maximum accumulation (a) and maximum dilution (d) in wheat were calculated for N (35, 100), P (129, 738), K (17, 56), and Zn (21502, 140244). Grain yield of wheat showed statistically significant correlation with N (R2= 0.937**), P (R2= 0.901**), and K uptake (R2= 0.801**). The NPK ratio to produce 1 tonne grain yield of wheat was calculated to be 4.9:1.0:8.9. The relationships between chemical properties and nutrient-supplying capacity of soils were also established. The model was validated using the data from four other experiments. Observed yields with different amounts of N, P, K, and Zn were in good agreement with the predicted values, suggesting that the validated QUEFTS model can be used for site-specific nutrient management of wheat.

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