scholarly journals Maize Response to Nitrogen: Timing, Leaf Variables and Grain Yield

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adilson Nunes da Silva ◽  
Evandro Luiz Schoninger ◽  
Paulo Cesar Ocheuze Trivelin ◽  
Durval Dourado-Neto ◽  
Victor Meriguetti Pinto ◽  
...  

<p>The main factors determining plant growth and productivity are decisive to be understood since they<strong> </strong>contribute to maximize plant nitrogen use efficiency. Thus, more reviews related to the correlation between the real content of chlorophyll and real carotenoids with the values obtained by chlorophyll (SPAD) in the early development stages of the maize are important to be obtained. The relation between the maize crop responses to the nitrogen fertilization at different development stages is of fundamental importance as well. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the responses of maize to the nitrogen application, urea fertilizer (<sup>15</sup>N), in side-dress at different development stages. The secondary objective was verifying the correlation between chlorophylls and carotenoids with SPAD index and these with total biomass (BM), harvest index (HI), grain yield (GY) and grain N content in response to the nitrogen side-dress at different development stages. The nitrogen fertilization was carried out in plots, with the application of 30 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> of N at planting and 140 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> N as side-dress at vegetative stages V4, V6, V8, V10, and V12, without incorporation into the soil, and control treatment consisted of non-nitrogen side-dress application was also utilized. The 2011/2012 season presented higher precipitation than 2012/2013. Maize crop responded similarly for GY to the nitrogen application in side-dress in both seasons, however, the nitrogen application in the early stages caused higher values for leaf variables, leaf pigments, and SPAD. Higher amount of nitrogen in all parts of the plants was observed in the 2011/2012 season than in 2012/2013, influenced by the adequate weather conditions at the nitrogen application moment. Grain N content from <sup>15</sup>N fertilizer and N uptake and efficiency were greater for early N applications. SPAD values correlated positively with most pigment variables at V16 in both seasons, thus proving that SPAD was an efficient instrument of indirect evaluation of chlorophylls and carotenoids in maize leaves at early stages. Chlorophyll b at V16 was positively correlated (P &lt; 0.05) with grain N content, GY, and BM, and total chlorophyll at V16 was positively correlated with GY and grain N content. However the chlorophylls a and total, evaluated at V14, were negatively correlated with GY. So, measurement of real chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment contents should be done after V14 stage when studies aim to evaluate crop nutritional conditions and prescribe future grain production practices.</p>

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1942
Author(s):  
Giovanni Preiti ◽  
Antonio Calvi ◽  
Maurizio Romeo ◽  
Giuseppe Badagliacca ◽  
Monica Bacchi

Over two cropping seasons, 2017/18 and 2018/19, an experimental trial was conducted in a typical cereal-growing environment of the Calabrian hills (southern Italy) to study seeding rate (D) and nitrogen fertilization (N) effects on two barley F1 hybrids (Zoo and Jallon) compared to those of a traditional variety (Lutece), assessing the bio-agronomic response. Barley hybrids, gradually introduced into the principal European countries starting in 2010 as winter forage, currently represent a significant part of the EU internal market. Productive performance was evaluated as grain yield for feed and total biomass for silage and/or biogas production. Research results pointed out the greater performance of barley hybrids compared to conventional varieties in terms of both grain and biomass production. On average, barley hybrids vigour mainly manifested itself through a high tillering and a greater number of ears m−2 compared to those of the conventional variety (+24 and +23%, respectively). Furthermore, barley hybrids were characterized by a greater 1000-kernel weight and hectolitre weight than those of the Lutece variety (conventional variety). A significant increase in grain production was observed, increasing density from D150 to D225 rates (+35% and +33%, respectively) which was followed by a decrease in production shifting from D225 to D300 doses. A significant increase in biomass production was as well highlighted for the two hybrids, shifting from D150 to D225 rates (+26% and +27%, respectively). The applied nitrogen dose highlighted a different behaviour between the hybrids and the conventional variety; in particular, the lowest nitrogen dose (N80) negatively influenced the Lutece variety both in terms of grain and biomass production (−9% and −16%, respectively) while the hybrids showed the best agronomic response even at the lowest dose. On average, with the N80 dose, grain yield of Zoo and Jallon was greater than 20% and 16%, while with the N120 dose grain yield was 9% and 7%, respectively. A similar behaviour was found for biomass yield. It should therefore be emphasized that barley hybrids possess high yielding capacities and that such higher grain production can be achieved in a Mediterranean environment by using a lower seed rate (approximately −25%) and a reduced nitrogen dose (approximately −33%) compared with those commonly applied to conventional varieties.


2021 ◽  
pp. 109-115
Author(s):  
Evelin Kármen Juhász ◽  
Andrea Balláné Kovács

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of two sulphur forms (sulphate and tiosulphate) in combination with three different N:S ratios on the yield of spring wheat and total N- and S-content and uptake by the aboveground biomass on chernozem and sandy soil. In the greenhouse experiment, the effects of two sulphur forms were compared: sulphate (SO42-) and thiosulphate (S2O32-). The sulphate was applied as potassium-sulphate (K2SO4) and thiosulphate as ammonium-thiosulphate ((NH4)2S2O3). Increasing doses of both sulphur forms (24, 60, 120 kg S ha-1) were used with the same nitrogen dose (120 kg N ha-1) which caused three different N:S ratios background (1:0.2, 1:0.5, 1:1). Nitrogen was supplied in the form of monoammonium-phosphate (MAP), ammonium-nitrate and ammonium-thiosulphate. Plant samples were taken in three different development stages of spring wheat based on the BBCH scale: at the stage of BBCH 30–32 (stem elongation), BBCH 65–69 (flowering) and BBCH 89 (ripening). The total nitrogen and total sulphur content of plant at different development stages and also wheat grain were measured by Elementar Vario EL type CNS analyser. The nutrient uptake by plant and grain was calculated from the yield of spring wheat and the N and S content of plant.  The grain yield on chernozem soil ranged between 6.31 and 12.13 g/pot. All fertilised treatments significantly increased the grain yield compared to the control. The highest yield was obtained in the case of the application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1in sulphate form. The grain yield on sandy soil varied from 2.53 to 6.62 g/pot. The fertilised treatments significantly enhanced the yield compared to the control. The highest yield was observed in the case of the application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg S ha-1 in thiosulphate form. On chernozem soil the increasing doses of sulphur (24, 60, 120 kg S ha-1) with the same N dose (120 kg N ha-1) increased the N-content of spring wheat at all development stages and in the grain. The treatments with different sulphur sources did not cause further changes in the N-content. On sandy soil in the most cases the N-content did not change significantly as a result of increasing sulphur doses. The treatments with sulphate form basically resulted higher nitrogen-content than treatments with thiosulphate form. The treatments with increasing sulphur doses resulted higher S-content on both of chernozem and sandy soil in the case of all development stage. Comparing the effect of the applied sulphur sources on the S-content it can be stated that at the stage of BBCH 30–31 and 65–69 the treatments with sulphate form resulted higher sulphur-content. At the stage of BBCH 89 there was no significant differences in S-content of grain as a result of different sulphur-sources.


2009 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 12) ◽  
pp. 519-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Potarzycki ◽  
W. Grzebisz

Actual yields of maize harvested by farmers are at level much below attainable yield potential of currently cultivated varieties. Among many growth factors zinc was recognized as one of main limiting factors of maize crop growth and yielding. This hypothesis has been verified within a three-year field study, where zinc fertilizer was applied to maize plants at the 5<sup>th</sup> leaf stage. Maize crop responded significantly to zinc foliar application in two of three years of study. The optimal rate of zinc foliar spray for achieving significant grain yield response was in the range from 1.0 to 1.5 kg Zn/ha. Grain yield increase was circa 18% (mean of three years) as compared to the treatment fertilized only with NPK. Plants fertilized with 1.0 kg Zn/ha significantly increased both total N uptake and grain yield. Yield forming effect of zinc fertilizer revealed via improvement of yield structure elements. The number of kernels per plant showed the highest response (+17.8% as compared to the NPK plot) and simultaneously the highest dependence on N uptake (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.79). For this particular zinc treatment, however, the length of cob can also be applied as a component of yield structure significantly shaping the final grain yield.


Weed Science ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Lindquist ◽  
Darren C. Barker ◽  
Stevan Z. Knezevic ◽  
Alexander R. Martin ◽  
Daniel T. Walters

Weeds compete with crops for light, soil water, and nutrients. Nitrogen (N) is the primary limiting soil nutrient. Forecasting the effects of N on growth, development, and interplant competition requires accurate prediction of N uptake and distribution within plants. Field studies were conducted in 1999 and 2000 to determine the effects of variable N addition on monoculture corn and velvetleaf N uptake, the relationship between plant N concentration ([N]) and total biomass, the fraction of N partitioned to leaves, and predicted N uptake and leaf N content. Cumulative N uptake of both species was generally greater in 2000 than in 1999 and tended to increase with increasing N addition. Corn and velvetleaf [N] declined with increasing biomass in both years in a predictable manner. The fraction of N partitioned to corn and velvetleaf leaves varied with thermal time from emergence but was not influenced by year, N addition, or weed density. With the use of the [N]–biomass relationship to forecast N demand, cumulative corn N uptake was accurately predicted for three of four treatments in 1999 but was underpredicted in 2000. Velvetleaf N uptake was accurately predicted in all treatments in both years. Leaf N content (NL, g N m−2leaf) was predicted by the fraction of N partitioned to leaves, predicted N uptake, and observed leaf area index for each species. Average deviations between predicted and observed corn NLwere < 88 and 12% of the observed values in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Velvetleaf NLwas less well predicted, with average deviations ranging from 39 to 248% of the observed values. Results of this research indicate that N uptake in corn and velvetleaf was driven primarily by biomass accumulation. Overall, the approaches outlined in this paper provide reasonable predictions of corn and velvetleaf N uptake and distribution in aboveground tissues.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye Traill ◽  
Lindsay W. Bell ◽  
Neal P. Dalgliesh ◽  
Ainsleigh Wilson ◽  
Lina-May Ramony ◽  
...  

Integration of tropical forage legumes into cropping systems may improve subsequent crop nitrogen (N) supply, but removal of legume biomass for forage is likely to diminish these benefits. This study aimed to determine: (i) under irrigated conditions, the potential N inputs that can be provided by different tropical forage legumes to a subsequent cereal crop; and (ii) the residual N benefits once fodder had been removed. Available soil mineral N following tropical forage legumes lablab (Lablab purpureus), centro (Centrosema pascuorum), butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) and burgundy bean (Macroptilium bracteatum) and grain legume soybean (Glycine max) was compared with a maize (Zea mays) control when legume biomass was retained or cut and removed (phase 1). An oat (Avena sativa) cover crop was then grown to ensure consistent soil-water across treatments (phase 2), followed by a maize grain crop (phase 3) in which N uptake, biomass production and grain yield were compared among the phase 1 treatments. To determine N-fertiliser equivalence values for subsequent maize crop yields, different rates of fertiliser (0–150 kg urea-N/ha) were applied in phase 3. Retained biomass of butterfly pea, centro and lablab increased phase 3 unfertilised maize grain yield by 6–8 t/ha and N uptake by 95–200 kg N/ha compared with a previous cereal crop, contributing the equivalent of 100–150 kg urea-N/ha. When legume biomass was cut and removed, grain yield in the phase 3 maize crop did not increase significantly. When butterfly pea, centro and lablab biomass was retained rather than removed, the maize accumulated an additional 80–132 kg N/ha. After fodder removal, centro was the only legume that provided N benefits to the phase 3 maize crop (equivalent of 33 kg urea-N/ha). Burgundy bean did not increase subsequent crop production when biomass was either retained or removed. The study found that a range of tropical forage legumes could contribute large amounts of N to subsequent crops, potentially tripling maize grain yield. However, when these legumes were cut and removed, the benefits were greatly diminished and the legumes provided little residual N benefit to a subsequent crop. Given the large N trade-offs between retaining and removing legume biomass, quantification of N inputs under livestock grazing or when greater residual biomass is retained may provide an alternative to achieving dual soil N–fodder benefits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ivan Ricardo Carvalho ◽  
Márcio Peter ◽  
Gustavo Henrique Demari ◽  
Francine Lautenchleger ◽  
Filipe Selau Carlos ◽  
...  

The objective to evaluate the maize yield components as a function of the top-dressing nitrogen partitioning in maize plants with conventional and transgenic technology. The experiment was carried out in the agricultural crops of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014, in the municipality of Tenente Portela-RS, Brazil. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design in a factorial scheme with two genetic technologies x 11 nitrogen fertilization treatments, arranged in three replications. The treatments were composed of top-dressing applications in the phenological stages V2 - two fully expanded leaves, (V2), V4 - four fully expanded leaves, (V4), V6 - six fully expanded leaves (V6) and V8 - with eight fully expanded leaves (V8) and split applications in V2+V4; V2+V6; V2+V8; V4+V6; V4+V8; V6+V8; and V2+V4+V6+V8. There was interaction between genetic technologies and levels of nitrogen fertilization in the maize crop. The highest grain yield was obtained with conventional technology because it presented plants with greater prolificacy, ear diameter and number of grains per row. Grain yield was superior with nitrogen fertilization in V4 and in nitrogen splitting in the V4 + V6, V4 + V8 and V2 + V4 + V6 + V8 stages.


2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1288-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jardes Bragagnolo ◽  
Telmo Jorge Carneiro Amado ◽  
Rodrigo da Silveira Nicoloso ◽  
Joerg Jasper ◽  
Junior Kunz ◽  
...  

Variable-rate nitrogen fertilization (VRF) based on optical spectrometry sensors of crops is a technological innovation capable of improving the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and mitigate environmental impacts. However, studies addressing fertilization based on crop sensors are still scarce in Brazilian agriculture. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of an optical crop sensor to assess the nutritional status of corn and compare VRF with the standard strategy of traditional single-rate N fertilization (TSF) used by farmers. With this purpose, three experiments were conducted at different locations in Southern Brazil, in the growing seasons 2008/09 and 2010/11. The following crop properties were evaluated: above-ground dry matter production, nitrogen (N) content, N uptake, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) reading, and a vegetation index measured by the optical sensor N-Sensor® ALS. The plants were evaluated in the stages V4, V6, V8, V10, V12 and at corn flowering. The experiments had a completely randomized design at three different sites that were analyzed separately. The vegetation index was directly related to above-ground dry matter production (R² = 0.91; p<0.0001), total N uptake (R² = 0.87; p<0.0001) and SPAD reading (R² = 0.63; p<0.0001) and inversely related to plant N content (R² = 0.53; p<0.0001). The efficiency of VRF for plant nutrition was influenced by the specific climatic conditions of each site. Therefore, the efficiency of the VRF strategy was similar to that of the standard farmer fertilizer strategy at sites 1 and 2. However, at site 3 where the climatic conditions were favorable for corn growth, the use of optical sensors to determine VRF resulted in a 12 % increase in N plant uptake in relation to the standard fertilization, indicating the potential of this technology to improve NUE.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-100
Author(s):  
Tácio Peres da Silva ◽  
Douglas Goulart Castro ◽  
Laís Moretti Tomé ◽  
Marco Renan Félix ◽  
Antônio Rosário Neto ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response of different doses and sources of nitrogen (N) on agronomic characteristics in upland riceas well astheclimaticand environmentalinfluence on nitrogen fertilization results. Theexperiments were conducted in the University of Lavras, during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 crop seasons, the plots consisted of 4 lines of 3 linear meters, with spacing among rows of 35 cm and a useful plot of 4.2 m2. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications in a 4x4x 2factorial design. The factor doseconsisted in 0, 50,100 e 200 kg ha-1N and the factor sourcesconsisted in ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, urea and polycote, totaling 16 treatments. The characteristics evaluatedwere plant height, grain yield, grain chalkness, 1000 grainsweight andyield. It was concluded that the addiction of doses and Nsources didnot change the agronomic performanceof the upland rice crop. There is an influence of the environment on the responses of plants to nitrogen application, being observed different results in different cropseasons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2742
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zain ◽  
Zhuanyun Si ◽  
Sen Li ◽  
Yang Gao ◽  
Faisal Mehmood ◽  
...  

Sound irrigation and nitrogen management strategies are necessary to achieve sustainable yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat in the North China Plain (NCP). The coupled effects of irrigation scheduling and the nitrogen application mode (NAM) on winter wheat growth, yield and water use efficiency under drip irrigation were evaluated with a two-year field experiment, which consisted of three irrigation scheduling levels (ISLs) (irrigating when soil water consumption (SWC) reached 20, 35 and 50 mm, referred as I20, I35 and I50, respectively) and three nitrogen application modes (NAMs) (ratio of basal application and topdressing as 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, referred as N50:50, N25:75 and N0:100, respectively). The experimental results showed that irrigating winter wheat at ISL I35 substantially (p < 0.05) improved the grain yield by 15.89%, 3.32% and 14.82%, 4.31% and water use efficiency (WUE) by 5.23%, 16.03% and 5.26%, 12.36%, compared with those at ISL I20 and I50 in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 growing seasons, respectively. NAM N25:75 appeared very beneficial in terms of grain yield, yield components and WUE as compared to other NAM levels. The maximum grain yield (8.62 and 9.40 t ha−1) and water use efficiency (1.88 and 2.09 kg m−3) were achieved in treatment I35N25:75 in two growing seasons over those in other treatments. The results in this study may deliver a scientific basis for irrigation and nitrogen fertilization management of the drip-irrigated winter wheat production in the NCP.


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