Evaluation of Maize Growth Following Early Season Foliar P Supply of Various Fertilizer Formulations and in Relation to Nutritional Status

Abstract

The efficiency of phosphorus (P) use in agriculture needs to be improved, with farmers being increasingly forced by law to reduce P soil fertilization. Thus, P foliar application might become more important in agriculture. The effect of foliar P fertilization has not been widely studied in maize, despite it being a crop with high P demand during juvenile development. Our aim was to investigate the effect of P foliar application during juvenile development on maize crop growth and yield. We conducted outdoor pot experiments to investigate the effect on P uptake, translocation, and dry matter following three applications of foliar fertilizer of various P formulations and with additional P soil fertilization between the 4th and 6th leaf stage during two growing seasons. To determine direct and possible long-term effects, plants were harvested at various developmental stages. P foliar application resulted in a significant increase in P concentration in all plant parts ten days after the last application, regardless of P form, nutritional status, or year. P concentration remained high only in those parts of the plant that were present during foliar application. Biomass effects were sporadically visible until flowering, but not at maturity. We conclude that foliar P fertilization during juvenile development does not increase yield but might nevertheless be a useful remedy for short-term P deficits.

Foliar P Application Cannot Fully Restore Photosynthetic Capacity, P Nutrient Status, and Growth of P Deficient Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…For this reason, P foliar application has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way of supplying P during crop growth and increasing the P use efficiency. However, while foliar fertilisation in horticultural crops is a common management tool with a known impact, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of foliar fertilisation in arable crops, but with varying results in terms of effectiveness [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Even though Noack et al [ 30 ] consider foliar fertilisation as a viable possibility for arable crops, there is still a major lack of knowledge to fully understand the underlying mechanisms [ 31 , 32 ].…”

“…In particular, the effects on biomass formation, adequate timing, as well as the optimal concentration of foliar P application were the focus of investigations. In recent years, some foliar P application studies were carried out with P deficient plant species such as wheat [ 25 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ], barley [ 20 , 21 , 53 , 54 , 55 ] or maize [ 28 , 56 , 57 ]. It was shown that P deficiency can lead to alterations in the composition of plant tissues and epidermal structures such as stomata and trichomes, which ultimately affects the rate of uptake of P via foliage.…”

“…While for wheat, the number of stomata and trichomes was strongly reduced and P foliar absorption no longer takes place [ 25 ], for barley mainly the tissue structure (cuticle, epidermal cell wall, polysaccharides) was changed and P continued to be absorbed, albeit at a reduced rate which could not restore functionality [ 53 ]. Foliar P application in P deficient maize plants led to an increase in P concentration and a short-term increase in biomass [ 28 , 56 , 57 ]. Using high-resolution bioimaging techniques, Arsic et al [ 53 , 54 ] recently showed that the uptake of P was mainly associated with trichomes and fiber cells, while P was subsequently translocated via bundle sheath extensions.…”

“…Recent studies on foliar P fertilisation in maize shed light on key agronomical parameters as well as on translocation processes [ 28 , 56 , 57 ]. Nevertheless, there are still many knowledge gaps for gaining a complete understanding of the absorption, translocation, and influence on plant physiological processes of foliar-applied P, especially within longer experimental setups.…”

Nitrogen and Chemical Control Management Improve Yield and Quality in High-Density Planting of Maize by Promoting Root-Bleeding Sap and Nutrient Absorption

“…Nutrient absorption and accumulation are the basis of crop yield formation, and it directly affects the growth process of crops (Wu et al, 2018 ; Gorlach et al, 2021 ). Nutrient absorption in maize increases with plant growth.…”