Macronutrient Management Effects on Nutrient Accumulation, Partitioning, Remobilization, and Yield of Hybrid Maize Cultivars

Abstract

It is critical to understand nutrient dynamics within different plant parts to correctly fine-tune agronomic advices, and to update breeding programs for increasing nutrient use efficiencies and yields. Farmer’s field-based research was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) levels on dry matter and nutrient accumulation, partitioning, and remobilization dynamics in three popular maize ( Zea mays L.) hybrids (P3522, P3396, and Rajkumar) over two years in an alluvial soil of West Bengal, India. Experimental results revealed that NPK rates as well as different cultivars significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) influenced the dry matter accumulation (DMA) in different plant parts of maize at both silking and physiological maturity. The post-silking dry matter accumulation (PSDMA) and post-silking N, P, and K accumulations (PSNA, PSPA, PSKA) were highest in cultivar P3396. However, cultivar P3522 recorded the highest nutrient remobilizations and contributions to grain nutrient content. Total P and K accumulation were highest with 125% of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) while total N accumulation increased even after 150% RDF (100% RDF is 200 kg N, 60 kg P 2 O 5 , and 60 kg K 2 O ha –1 for the study region). Application of 125% RDF was optimum for PSDMA. The PSNA continued to increase up to 150% RDF while 125% RDF was optimum for PSPA. Cultivar differences significantly affected both remobilization efficiency (RE) and contribution to grain nutrient content for all tested macronutrients (N, P, and K). In general, RE as well as contribution to grain nutrient content was highest at 125% RDF for N and K, and at 100% RDF for P (either significantly or at par with other rates) for plots receiving nutrients. For all tested cultivars, nutrient remobilization and contribution to grain nutrient content was highest under nutrient-omission plots and absolute control plots. Both year and cultivar effects were non-significant for both grain and stover yields of maize. Application of 75% RDF was sufficient to achieve the attainable yield at the study location. The cultivar P3522 showed higher yield over both P3396 and Rajkumar, irrespective of fertilizer doses, although, the differences were not statistically significant ( p ≥ 0.05). The study underscores the importance of maize adaptive responses in terms of nutrients accumulation and remobilization at different levels of nutrient availability for stabilizing yield.

Band Phosphorus and Sulfur Fertilization as Drivers of Efficient Management of Nitrogen of Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…In the present studies, rising NPS rates boosted N accumulation in plants; therefore, the potential of utilizing N from leaves was high, but the real translocation of N to kernels was lower due to a higher metabolic activity of leaves well nourished in N and P(S). Our studies confirm earlier observations, where fertilization treatments without phosphorus (NK), indices of remobilization and contribution activities were higher than in treatments without nitrogen but with phosphorus (PK) [33]. At the same time, our studies indicate that N management indices do not have to have a linear correlation with NPS rates.…”

“…Such a reaction of plants is characteristic for the "stay green" types [5]. Ray et al [33] also obtained negative results of DM remobilization indices as a consequence of large increases in maize biomass in the post-silking period. Unlike DM management indices, the nitrogen management indices (NRE and CNR) obtained in our studies were positive.…”

“…The value of the N gap indicates the pool of nitrogen not used in crop formation, resulting either from external (e.g., dry soil) or internal (e.g., imbalance of components) factors. After flowering, the role of soil nitrogen in grain yield formation diminishes, and the importance of N remobilized from green parts increases [5,33]. Therefore, in order to fully understand the impact of phosphorus fertilization on the uptake and use of N from fertilizers, it is also necessary to take into account the growth stages preceding the maturation of plants.…”

Bioprospecting Microbiome for Soil and Plant Health Management Amidst Huanglongbing Threat in Citrus: A Review

“…Hence, the changes in the composition of phloem sap mainly due to under supply of different micronutrients revealed some useful insights for inactivating the development and sustenance of C Las in the phloem ( Hijaz and Killiny, 2014 ; Hijaz et al, 2016 ; Killiny, 2016 ; Dong et al, 2021a ). Indeed, researches have shown that zinc (Zn) can reduce bacterial infection, followed by manganese (Mn) playing an important role in the synthesis of non-structural carbohydrates, nitrogen metabolism, phenols, and phytoalexin in citrus ( Srivastava et al, 2005 ; Datnoff et al, 2007 ; Bargaz et al, 2018 ; Ray et al, 2020 ). Moreover, copper (Cu) has also been applied for several years to control the phytosanitary problems triggered by micro-communities ( Russell, 2005 ; Trivedi et al, 2021 ).…”

Conservation Agriculture Affects Grain and Nutrient Yields of Maize (Zea Mays L.) and Can Impact Food and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Many factors can influence the composition of maize kernels, such as genetic background of each variety, environmental growth conditions, plant age, geographic location, soil type and nutrients, and agronomic practise ( 23 , 47 , 48 ). The genetic background of maize varieties and cultivars significantly affect the remobilization efficiency of the nutrients in different parts of the plant, and the accumulation of these nutrients in the grain ( 49 ). Nutrient concentration in cereal grains depends mostly on soil and environmental parameters, such as soil pH, soil organic matter, temperature, rainfall, and topography ( 50 ).…”