Effect of in-season application methods of fertilizer nitrogen on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in maize

Little information is available comparing agronomic performance and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for N application methods such as foliar spray, soil application, and ear injection in maize (Zea mays L.). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of various N application methods on total stover dry matter, grain yield, and NUE of maize hybrids using a 15N-labeling approach. A field experiment was conducted on a Dalhousie clay loam in Ottawa and a Guelph loam in Guelph for 2 yr (1999 and 2000). Three N application methods were tested on two maize hybrids, Pioneer 3893 and Pioneer 38P06 Bt. At planting, 60 kg N ha-1 as ammonium nitrate was applied to all treatments. In addition, 6.5 kg N ha-1 and 13.5 kg N ha-1 as 15N-labeled urea were applied to either foliage (Treatment I) or soil (Treatment II) at V6 and V12 stages, respectively. In Treatment III, 20 kg N ha-1 as 15N-labeled urea was injected into space between ear and husks at silking. The results showed that compared with soil N application neither foliar spray nor injection through ear affected grain yield or stover dry matter. The NUE values ranged from 12 to 76% for N fertilizer applied at V6 a nd V12 stages, or at silking for all treatments. There was no interaction of hybrid × N application methods on any variables measured with the only exception that for soil N application, grain NUE in Pioneer 38P06 Bt was significant higher than in Pioneer 3893. The difference in total N and NUE of grain and stover between soil N application and foliar N spray was inconsistent. However, NUE was substantially higher for N injection through the ear than for foliar or soil application without differential responses between the two hybrids. Nitrogen injection through the ear at silking might have altered N redistribution within the plant and improved NUE. Hence, it can potentially enhance grain protein content. Foliar N spray is not advocated for maize production in Ontario. Key words: Maize, Zea mays, nitrogen application methods, nitrogen-15, yield, nitrogen use efficiency

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Effect of Wheat Cover Crop and Split Nitrogen Application on Corn Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10081081 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 1081 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Oladapo Adeyemi ◽

Reza Keshavarz-Afshar ◽

Emad Jahanzad ◽

Martin Leonardo Battaglia ◽

Yuan Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Block Design ◽

Corn Yield ◽

N Losses ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

N Application ◽

Use Efficiency

Corn (Zea mays L.) grain is a major commodity crop in Illinois and its production largely relies on timely application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Currently, growers in Illinois and other neighboring states in the U.S. Midwest use the maximum return to N (MRTN) decision support system to predict corn N requirements. However, the current tool does not factor in implications of integrating cover crops into the rotation, which has recently gained attention among growers due to several ecosystem services associated with cover cropping. A two-year field trail was conducted at the Agronomy Research Center in Carbondale, IL in 2018 and 2019 to evaluate whether split N application affects nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of corn with and without a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cover crop. A randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements and four replicates was used. Main plots were cover crop treatments (no cover crop (control) compared to a wheat cover crop) and subplots were N timing applications to the corn: (1) 168 kg N ha−1 at planting; (2) 56 kg N ha−1 at planting + 112 kg N ha−1 at sidedress; (3) 112 kg N ha−1 at planting + 56 kg N ha−1 at sidedress; and (4) 168 kg N ha−1 at sidedress along with a zero-N control as check plot. Corn yield was higher in 2018 than 2019 reflecting more timely precipitation in that year. In 2018, grain yield declined by 12.6% following the wheat cover crop compared to no cover crop control, indicating a yield penalty when corn was preceded with a wheat cover crop. In 2018, a year with timely and sufficient rainfall, there were no yield differences among N treatments and N balances were near zero. In 2019, delaying the N application improved NUE and corn grain yield due to excessive rainfall early in the season reflecting on N losses which was confirmed by lower N balances in sidedressed treatments. Overall, our findings suggest including N credit for cereals in MRTN prediction model could help with improved N management in the Midwestern United States.

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Organic Amendment and Soil Type Effects on Dry Matter Accumulation, Grain Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Rice

Journal of Plant Nutrition ◽

10.1081/pln-200067436 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 28 (8) ◽

pp. 1311-1322

Author(s):

Joseph Ofori ◽

Akira Kamidouzono ◽

Tsugiyuki Masunaga ◽

Toshiyuki Wakatsuki

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Soil Type ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Organic Amendment ◽

Dry Matter Accumulation ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Use Efficiency

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Influence of Biodegradable Polymer Coated Urea on Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization of Maize (Zea mays L)

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2021/v33i2430781 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 297-306

Author(s):

B. Balaganesh ◽

P. Malarvizhi ◽

N. Chandra Sekaran ◽

P. Jeyakumar ◽

K. R. Latha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Uptake ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Biodegradable Polymer ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Urea Fertilizer ◽

Coated Urea ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Polymer Coated Urea

Controlled release nitrogen fertilizers could be an excellent management approach for improving nitrogen fertilizer efficiency. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of coated urea fertilizers to increase nitrogen uptake and utilization of maize. The nitrogen use efficiency of maize from various biodegradable polymer-coated urea fertilizers, such as palm stearin coated urea (PSCU), pine oleoresin coated urea (POCU), and humic acid coated urea (HACU), was determined in a pot culture experiment conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during 2021. The coating materials have been coated on urea with different coating thicknesses, viz., PSCU - 5, 10, 15%, POCU – 2, 4, 6%, and HACU - 5, 10, 15%. Among all the treatments, T11: HACU 15% produced highest grain yield (72.0g plant-1) followed by T7: POCU 4% (69.7 g plant-1) and T4: PSCU 10% (69.0g plant-1). In terms of dry matter production, T10: PSCU 10% produced maximum dry matter (186.5g plant-1), followed by T11: HACU 15% (186.2 g plant-1), and T7: POCU 4% (185.3g plant-1). The nitrogen uptake by the maize plant was higher in T7: POCU 4 % (1.62g plant-1), followed by T11: HACU 15% (1.59 g plant-1) and T4: PSCU 10% (1.59g plant-1). Irrespective of treatments, the highest nitrogen utilization by the maize crop was found in T7: POCU 4% (73.9%) followed by T4: PSCU 10% (71.1%) and T11: HACU 15% (70.9%) treatments. When compared to uncoated urea fertilizer, all coated urea fertilizers outperformed uncoated urea fertilizer in terms of grain yield, dry matter accumulation, and nitrogen uptake. To improve the nitrogen use efficiency, coated urea fertilizers prove to be a promising alternative to uncoated urea fertilizers.

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Genetic Variation for Nitrogen-Use Efficiency Among Selected Tropical Maize Hybrids Differing in Grain Yield Potential

Journal of Crop Improvement ◽

10.1080/15427528.2012.721483 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 31-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ayodeji Abe ◽

Abebe Menkir ◽

Stephen Patrick Moose ◽

Victor Olawale Adetimirin ◽

Amudalat Bolanle Olaniyan

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Tropical Maize ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Maize Hybrids ◽

Use Efficiency

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Optimizing fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency by intensively managed spring wheat in humid regions: Effect of split application

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2011-146 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 92 (5) ◽

pp. 847-856 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

José Luis Velasco ◽

Hernán Sainz Rozas ◽

Hernán Eduardo Echeverría ◽

Pablo Andrés Barbieri

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Split Application ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

N Application ◽

Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Intensively Managed

Velasco, J. L., Rozas, H. S., Echeverría, H. E. and Barbieri, P. A. 2012. Optimizing fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency by intensively managed spring wheat in humid regions: Effect of split application. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 847–856. Efficient N fertilizer management is critical for the economical production of wheat and the long-term protection of the environment. Six experiments were conducted at three locations in the south-east of the province of Buenos Aires (SE), Argentina, during a 4-yr period, on Typic Argiudoll and Petrocalcic Paleudoll. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of splitting nitrogen (N) fertilizer on N use efficiency (NUE) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Rates of 0 to 150 kg N ha−1were used, applied at tillering (Z24) or split between Z24 and flag leaf (Z39). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. Grain yield ranged from 3522 to 8185 kg ha−1, according to N availability and application time. In the experiments without water stress (three out of six), average grain yield (across experiments) was 6669 and 6989 kg ha−1for full and split fertilization, respectively. In four out of six experiments, average N in above-ground biomass (NAB), N recovery fraction (NRF), and grain protein content (GPC) for split N application were greater than for full N at Z24 (NAB, 176 and 157 kg N ha−1; NRF, 66 and 51%; GPC, 100 and 92 g kg−1, for split and full N application, respectively). In years without water stress, splitting N between Z24 and Z39 is an appropriate strategy to improve NRF, reducing N losses, and minimizing the environmental impact of fertilization.

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Effect of Long-Term Nitrogen Addition on Wheat Yield, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Residual Soil Nitrate in a Semiarid Area of the Loess Plateau of China

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12051735 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1735 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Aixia Xu ◽

Lingling Li ◽

Junhong Xie ◽

Xingzheng Wang ◽

Jeffrey A. Coulter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Loess Plateau ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Wheat Yield ◽

N Fertilization ◽

N Fertilizer ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

N Application ◽

Use Efficiency

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer plays an important role in wheat yield, but N application rates vary greatly, and there is a lack of data to quantify the residual effects of N fertilization on soil N availability. A 17-yr experiment was conducted in a semiarid area of the Loess Plateau of China to assess the effects of N fertilization on spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield, N uptake, N utilization efficiency, and residual soil nitrate. Treatments included a non-N-fertilized control and annual application of 52.5, 105.0, 157.5, and 210.0 kg N ha−1 in the first two years (2003 and 2004). In the third year (2005), the four main plots with N fertilizer application were split. In one subplot, N fertilization was continued as mentioned previously, while in the other subplot, N fertilization was stopped. The concentration of NO3-N in the 0–110 cm depth soil layers was significantly affected by N application, with higher N rates associated with greater soil NO3-N concentration. With the annual application of N over 17 years, residual soil NO3-N concentration in the 100–200 cm soil layer in the last study year was significantly greater than that in the non-N-fertilized control and was increased with rate of N application. There was a significant positive relationship of soil NO3-N in the 0–50 cm and 50–110 cm soil layers at wheat sowing with wheat grain N content and yield. Wheat grain yield in the third year (2005) was significantly, i.e., 22.57–59.53%, greater than the unfertilized treatment after the N application was stopped. Nitrogen use efficiency decreased in response to each increment of added N fertilizer, and was directly related to N harvest index and grain yield. Therefore, greater utilization of residual soil N through appropriate N fertilizer rates could enhance nitrogen use efficiency while reducing the cost of crop production and risk of N losses to the environment. For these concerns, optimum N fertilizer application rate for spring wheat in semiarid Loess Plateau is about 105 kg N ha−1, which is below the threshold value of 170 kg N ha−1 per year as defined by most EU countries.

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Effects of nitrogen application rate on dry matter redistribution, grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency and photosynthesis in malting barley

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B - Soil & Plant Science ◽

10.1080/09064710.2011.637508 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Cai ◽

D. Jiang ◽

B. Wollenweber ◽

T. Dai ◽

W. Cao

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Application Rate ◽

Malting Barley ◽

Nitrogen Application ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Nitrogen Application Rate

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Performance of Prilled Urea and Urea Super Granule by Applicators on Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Boro Rice

Bangladesh Rice Journal ◽

10.3329/brj.v22i2.44043 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 63-69

Author(s):

ATMS Hossain ◽

F Rahman ◽

PK Saha

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Use Efficiency ◽

N Uptake ◽

N Use Efficiency ◽

Nitrogen Use ◽

N Application ◽

Deep Placement ◽

Prilled Urea ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

N Use

A field experiment was conducted on validation of prilled urea (PU) and urea super granule (USG) applied by applicators on yield and nitrogen use efficiency during Boro 2014 season at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) farm, Gazipur (AEZ 28). Six treatment combinations of different N doses and methods of N application were tested to compare urea-N application by PU and USG applicator for rice yield, N uptake and N use efficiency over urea broadcasting. Application of N as PU or USG through applicator has same effect on grain yield, N uptake and N use efficiency compared with urea broadcasting. Statistically similar grain yield were observed with N application as PU or USG @ 78 kg N ha-1 by applicator which was comparable with urea broadcasting @ 135 kg N ha-1. The N concentration and uptake in both panicle initiation (PI) and maturity stage were higher in USG deep placement than PU deep placement by applicators but the difference was not significant. Although agronomic use efficiency (AUE) of N was slightly higher in PU than USG applied by applicators but the recovery efficiency (RE) of N was higher in USG than PU. Bangladesh Rice j. 2018, 22(2): 63-69

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