Nitrogen uptake and utilization of two maize hybrids with contrasting nitrogen use efficiencies depending on fertilization amount

authored by: Guodong Shao, Hao Cheng, Hongcui Dai, Hui Zhang, Juanjuan Ai, Kaichang Liu, Zongxin Li, Kazem Zamanian, Xin Qian
Abstract: Splitting nitrogen (N) application is beneficial for achieving higher grain yields and N use efficiency (NUE), but the responses of N utilization efficiency of different maize cultivars to top-dressing N fertilizer rates are still unclear. This study investigated the effects of fertilization managements on N uptake and utilization derived from topdressing fertilizers of maize hybrids (Ludan981 and Denghai605) with contrasting NUEs. The N fate derived from topdressing fertilizer was determined using the ¹⁵N tracing method. Grain yields, dry matter and N accumulation of both maize hybrids were significantly increased under low N levels but decreased under high N levels. Under N-deficient and excess conditions, Denghai605 had higher NUE than Ludan981. The N rates of topdressing significantly affected N uptake and utilization, but no difference was detected between two maize hybrids, and excessive N use led to higher rates of N loss and residual in soil. The N metabolism enzyme activities did not differ between the two maize hybrids. Our findings suggest optimized N management strategies by adjusting topdressing N application rate and timing are necessary to increase NUE and to minimize environmental costs in maize cropping system.
Organisation(s): Institute of Soil Science
External Organisation(s): Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
National Engineering Laboratory for Wheat and Maize
University of Tübingen
Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
Type: Article
Journal: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science
Volume: 69
Pages: 2202-2217
No. of pages: 16
ISSN: 0365-0340
Publication date: 2023
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Agronomy and Crop Science, Soil Science
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2022.2142573 (Access: Closed)