scholarly journals Soil physical properties, nitrogen uptake and grain quality of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by tillage systems and nitrogen application

2018 ◽  
pp. 324-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allah Wasaya ◽  
Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Tauqeer Ahmad Yasir ◽  
Muhammad Akram ◽  
Omer Farooq ◽  
...  

Soil compaction is a global issue pertaining to agricultural lands. The frequent use of farm machinery and field operations at the same depth are the major causes of soil compaction. The gradual increase in soil compaction deteriorates maize grain quality due to reduced nitrogen (N) uptake. Quality food production by reducing soil compaction is the need of time, which can be achieved through deep tillage and N management. In this study, three tillage systems viz. conventional tillage (using cultivator), tillage with mould board plough +2-cultivations (MBP), and tillage with chisel plough +2-cultivations (CP); and three nitrogen levels viz. 100, 150 and 200 kg ha–1 were used to evaluate their effect on soil properties, N uptake and grain quality in maize. Lower bulk density (1.41 Mg m–3), higher total porosity (0.47 m3 m–3) and higher nitrogen uptake (96.01 kg ha–1) was recorded under chisel plough (CP) compared with other tillage systems. Different N levels had significant effect on grain and total N uptake and grain quality, while soil properties remains unaffected. Higher N uptake was recorded with 200 kg ha–1 N application than other treatments. Similarly, 8.51% and 8.57% more grain protein contents were recorded with 200 kg ha–1 N during first and second year respectively. Unlike grain protein, starch and oil contents were negatively affected by N application being higher starch (71.7%) and oil contents (3.41%) with less N supply (100 kg ha–1). However, interaction effect of tillage and nitrogen levels was found non-significant for all studied parameters except for oil contents. Higher oil contents were recorded with MBP along with 100 kg ha–1 N application. Overall study indicated that deep ploughing with CP is important for maize to explore more soil area for nutrient uptake and N is also important for improving grain quality especially protein contents an important food constituent.

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 563-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. CARTER ◽  
D. A. RENNIE

Growth chamber and field studies were conducted to assess the relative utilization of placed and broadcast 15N-urea by spring wheat. The field studies were conducted on zero and conventional (shallow) tillage systems, of 4-yr duration, located on Chernozemic soils at two locations in Saskatchewan. Placement below the seeding depth in comparison to broadcast application, generally reduced fertilizer N immobilization and increased fertilizer N uptake, recovery, and efficiency. Under moisture stress, placed applications were effective in enhancing dry matter yield and total N uptake. It is concluded that fertilizer N placement for these two contrasting tillage systems should be identical, thus some soil disturbance under zero tillage may be necessary to achieve optimum crop use of applied fertilizer N. The dominant N transformation processes and possible tillage induced differences, in regard to methods of N application, are discussed. Key words: Placed and broadcast N application, N efficiency, N utilization, 15N-urea, zero tillage, soil moisture


HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilton P. Cook ◽  
Douglas C. Sanders

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of N application frequency through drip irrigation on soil NO3-N movement in the bed profile and on yield and N uptake by tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. `Sunny') at two locations. Increasing N application frequency resulted in increased yields at Clayton, N. C., but not at Charleston, S.C. The number of fruit produced was not affected by N treatment at either location, but fruit size increased with increasing N application frequency at Clayton. Foliage N concentration decreased seasonally, but neither foliage N concentration nor total N content of the above-ground portion of the plants was affected by N application frequency. Regardless of N application frequency, NO3-N concentrations within the raised bed decreased with time due to plant uptake and leaching. Nitrogen levels declined most rapidly in the area closest to the drip tube.


2010 ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Md Abiar Rahman ◽  
Md Giashuddin Miah ◽  
Hisashi Yahata

Productivity of maize and soil properties change under alley cropping system consisting of four woody species (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Cajanus cajan and Senna siamea) at different nitrogen levels (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of recommended rate) were studied in the floodplain ecosystem of Bangladesh. Comparative growth performance of four woody species after pruning showed that L. leucocephala attained the highest height, while C. cajan produced the maximum number of branches. Higher and almost similar amount of pruned materials (PM) were obtained from S. siamea, G. sepium and C. cajan species. In general, maize yield increased with the increase in N level irrespective of added PM. However, 100% N plus PM, 75% N plus PM and 100% N without PM (control) produced similar yields. The grain yield of maize obtained from G. sepium alley was 2.82, 4.13 and 5.81% higher over those of L. leucocephala, C. cajan and S. siamea, respectively. Across the alley, only one row of maize in the vicinity of the woody species was affected significantly. There was an increasing trend in soil properties in terms of organic C, total N and CEC in alley cropping treatments especially in G. sepium and L. leucocephala alleys compared to the initial and control soils. Therefore, one fourth chemical N fertilizer can be saved without significant yield loss in maize production in alley cropping system.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yushi Zhang ◽  
Yubin Wang ◽  
Churong Liu ◽  
Delian Ye ◽  
Danyang Ren ◽  
...  

Increasing use of plant density or/and nitrogen (N) application has been introduced to maize production in the past few decades. However, excessive planting density or/and use of fertilizer may cause reduced N use efficiency (NUE) and increased lodging risks. Ethephon application improves maize lodging resistance and has been an essential measure in maize intensive production systems associated with high plant density and N input in China. Limited information is available about the effect of ethephon on maize N use and the response to plant density under different N rates in the field. A three-year field study was conducted with two ethephon applications (0 and 90 g ha−1), four N application rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha−1), and two plant densities (6.75 plants m−2 and 7.5 plants m−2) to evaluate the effects of ethephon on maize NUE indices (N agronomic efficiency, NAE; N recovery efficiency, NRE; N uptake efficiency, NUpE; N utilization efficiency, NUtE; partial factor productivity of N, PFPN), biomass, N concentration, grain yield and N uptake, and translocation properties. The results suggest that the application of ethephon decreased the grain yield by 1.83–5.74% due to the decrease of grain numbers and grain weight during the three experimental seasons. Meanwhile, lower biomass, NO3- and NH4+ fluxes in xylem bleeding sap, and total N uptake were observed under ethephon treatments. These resulted in lower NAE and NUpE under the ethephon treatment at a corresponding N application rate and plant density. The ethephon treatment had no significant effects on the N concentration in grains, and it decreased the N concentration in stover at the harvesting stage, while increasing the plant N concentration at the silking stage. Consequently, post-silking N remobilization was significantly increased by 14.10–32.64% under the ethephon treatment during the experimental periods. Meanwhile, NUtE significantly increased by ethephon.


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selamyihun Kidanu ◽  
D. G. Tanner ◽  
Tekalign Mamo

A trial was conducted on an Ethiopian Vertisol from 1990 to 1995 to determine the residual effects of fertiliser N applied to tef [Eragrostistef (Zucc.) Trotter] on the grain and straw yield, N content, and total N uptake of succeeding crops of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum var. durum) and tef. The mean agronomic efficiency of 60 kg fertiliser N ha−1 was 13.1 kg grain kg−1 fertiliser N applied in the current year and 5.4 kg grain kg−1 fertiliser N applied in the previous year. Thus, the residual fertiliser N benefit was equivalent to 41.2% of the response to current season N application for the two cereal crops. The mean rates of apparent recovery of fertiliser N were 65.8% for current season N application and 31.0% for previous season N application. Soil organic matter and nitrate levels increased linearly in response to both previous and current season N application rates. The current study demonstrates that the residual effect of fertiliser N enhanced the yields and N contents of the grain and straw of both wheat and tef, resulting in a significant increase in total N uptake. Any analysis of the profitability of fertiliser N response should reflect the multi-year benefit period. Key words: N recovery, N residue, N uptake, tef, wheat


2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 386-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athyna N. Cambouris ◽  
Noura Ziadi ◽  
Isabelle Perron ◽  
Khaled D. Alotaibi ◽  
Mervin St. Luce ◽  
...  

Information on how soil texture and related soil properties affect corn (Zea mays L.) nitrogen (N) response is needed to improve N management in corn production. We conducted a study at 12-site yr in Quebec to assess the effect of N rate (0–250 kg N ha−1) and soil surface textural groups [clay, loam, sandy belonging to the gleysolic soil order (Sg), and sandy belonging to the podzolic soil order (Sp)] on corn grain yield, stover yield, total N uptake (TNU), nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE), thousand kernel weight (TKW), test weight, and chlorophyll meter readings (CMR). Corn was more responsive to N rate in the clay soil textural group for most of the parameters due to lower soil N supply, and least responsive in the Sp group, except for test weight and CMR, due to possibly greater leaching in this group. The CMR at flowering accounted for 87%, 87%, 82%, and 25% of the variation in grain yield, TNU, TKW, and test weight, respectively. This study suggests that soil surface texture has a major influence on corn N response, but other soil properties such as drainage may also be important.


2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1150-1162
Author(s):  
Sayyed Shahaboddin Moinoddini ◽  
Alireza Koocheki ◽  
Mehdi Nassiri Mahalati ◽  
Azam Borzooei

HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1440-1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn F. Scagel ◽  
Guihong Bi ◽  
Leslie H. Fuchigami ◽  
Richard P. Regan

Growth, nitrogen (N) uptake, and N storage were assessed in transplanted 1-year-old rhododendron liners. Two evergreen cultivars, Rhododendron ‘P. J. Mezitt Compact’ (PJM) and R. ‘English Roseum’ (ER), and one deciduous cultivar, R. ‘Gibraltar’ (AZ), were transplanted into 1-gal. pots and given liquid fertilizer with (+N) or without (–N) N. Increased N availability increased growth after July (ER, PJM) or August (AZ), and resulted in three to five times more total biomass. Biomass continued to increase after stem elongation and leaf production ceased. Nitrogen uptake was correlated with growth of all plant structures on AZ, whereas N uptake was only correlated with stem and leaf growth on evergreen cultivars. The rate of N uptake was highest before July for AZ (1.9 mg·d−1) and in August and September for the evergreen cultivars (≈5 mg·d−1). Thirteen percent to 16% of total N uptake from between May and February occurred after N fertilization ceased at the beginning of September. Plants contained the most N in October (AZ), November (PJM), or December (ER). Biomass loss after November accounted for a loss of 14% to 48% of the maximum total plant N content. Nitrogen demand by roots and stems increased from May to February in all cultivars. The role of new and old leaves in N storage on evergreen cultivars varied with cultivar and time. Differences in N storage between the evergreen cultivars occurred primarily in their roots and leaves. Over the winter, PJM stored more N in its roots, whereas ER stored more N in its leaves. Changes in N concentrations and contents in different plant structures after November indicate that, during early winter, N stored in other structures moves to roots and old stems of PJM, old stems of ER, and roots and new and old stems of AZ. These results suggest that fertilizer application strategies for transplanted liners of these cultivars should include low N availability after transplanting followed by high N availability in mid to late summer. This type of strategy will not only improve N uptake efficiency from fertilizer, but also will minimize N loss from the containers. The results also demonstrated that N uptake in the autumn may play an important role in supplementing plant N reserves required for growth during the next season as well as for balancing N losses incited by leaf abscission, root turnover, and maintenance functions that occur over winter.


Author(s):  
T.V. Vellinga ◽  
G. Andre

Data of nitrogen fertilization experiments of 1934 - 1994 have been analysed, using models for N uptake and dry matter (DM) yield. Both models were affected by fertilizer level, soil type, soil organic matter content, grassland use, cutting frequency, grassland renovation, white clover content and the N content analysis (Crude Protein or total-N). Effects on Soil Nitrogen Supply (SNS), Apparent Nitrogen Recovery (ANR) and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) are discussed. Differences in SNS, ANR and NUE between sand and clay were small, SNS on poorly drained peat soil was 60 and 80 kg N per ha higher than on clay and sand, respectively, ANR on poorly drained peat soil was 7 and 10% lower. The NUE was similar on sand, clay and poorly drained peat. ANR was low at low N application levels, due to immobilization. ANR increased from 35% to 65% at application levels of 50 and 250 kg N per ha, respectively. At application levels of more than 250 kg N per ha, ANR decreased. NUE decreased from 45 to 29 kg DM per kg N with increasing N application levels of 0 and 550 kg per ha. It is suggested that for a good N utilization a minimum N application of 100 kg N per ha should be used. SNS increased by a mixed use of grazing and cutting with 27 and 40 kg N per ha for sand/clay and poorly drained peat respectively. ANR on sand decreased from 5 to 10% at applications of 200 and 500 kg N per ha and NUE decreased with 1-2 kg DM per kg N. The effect of grazing was stronger under pure grazing than with a mixed use of grazing and cutting. Increasing the cutting frequency from 3 to 8 cuts per year had no effect on SNS, increased ANR with 0-20% and decreased NUE with 4-7 kg DM per kg N. The positive effect of the higher ANR compensated the lower NUE at application levels of 400 kg N per ha. Changes in ANR over the last sixty years can be explained by changes in experimental conditions, experimental treatments and chemical analysis. Changes in NUE can be explained by a higher proportion of perennial ryegrass and genetic improvement.


HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1332-1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Westerveld ◽  
Alan W. McKeown ◽  
Mary Ruth McDonald

An understanding of nitrogen (N) uptake and the partitioning of N during the season by the carrot crop (Daucus carota subsp. sativus [Hoffm.] Arkang.) is required to develop more efficient N fertilization practices. Experiments were conducted on both organic and mineral soils to track the accumulation of dry matter (DM) and N over the growing season and to develop an N budget of the crop. Treatments included two carrot cultivars (`Idaho' and `Fontana') and 5 N rates ranging from 0% to 200% of the provincial recommendations in Ontario. Foliage and root samples were collected biweekly from selected treatments during the growing season and assessed for total N concentration. Harvest samples were used to calculate N uptake, N in debris, and net N removal values. Accumulation of DM and N in the roots was low until 50 to 60 days after seeding (DAS) and then increased linearly until harvest for all 3 years regardless of the soil type, cultivar, and N rate. Foliage dry weight and N accumulation were more significant by 50 to 60 DAS, increased linearly between 50 and 100 DAS, and reached a maximum or declined slightly beyond 100 DAS in most cases. The N application rates required to maximize yield on mineral soil resulted in a net loss of N from the system, except when sufficient N was available from the soil to produce optimal yield. On organic soil, a net removal of N occurred at all N application rates in all years. Carrots could be used as an N catch crop to reduce N losses in a vegetable rotation in conditions of high soil residual N, thereby improving the N use efficiency (NUE) of the crop rotation.


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