Abstract: 【Objective】 This research aims to determine the optimal planting density, amount of nitrogen utilization, and pattern for nitrogen utilization, so as to develop reasonable measures for cultivation.【Method】 In this research, the cultivar “Xianyu335” was applied as research material. Two nitrogen utilization amounts (namely 150 and 225 kg/ha), 2 densities (namely 6×10⁴ and 7.5×10⁴ plants/ha), and 5 nitrogen topdressings at different growth stages (namely 100% base manure, 100% topdressing at jointing stage, 50% base manure+50% topdressing at jointing stage, 50% base manure+30% topdressing at jointing stage+20% topdressing at tasseling stage, and 50% base manure+10% topdressing at jointing stage+40% topdressing at tasseling stage) were set under plastic-covered ridge and furrow planting. Through a 3-year field test, the effects of planting density, nitrogen utilization amount, and nitrogen application pattern on arid-field spring maize yield and physiological indexes were investigated. 【Result】Within the ranges of nitrogen utilization amount and density used in this research, under the same nitrogen utilization amount, maize yield increased extremely significantly with the enhancement of planting density, while such indexes as Pn, Tr, and Gs declined. However, under the same planting density, yield differences among various nitrogen utilization amounts were not significant, despite the fact that yield was greater under high nitrogen utilization amounts than under low ones. Meanwhile, under the same density and the same nitrogen utilization amount, yield differences among various nitrogen utilization patterns were all extremely significant, Pn, Gs and Tr were highest in a ratio of base manure to topdressing at the jointing stage reaching 50%:50% and WUE changed the same as yield did. Compared with a one-step fertilizer application before sowing or at the jointing stage, stage-by-stage topdressing can delay chlorophyll decline in maize leaves at a later-growth period, improve the production and transportation of photosynthetic matters, and optimize yield composition; and such effects are especially salient when the ratio of base manure to topdressing at the jointing stage amounts to 50%:50%. Therefore, the coordinated enhancement of both yield and physiological indexes of spring maize in rain-fed areas of the eastern Gansu Province can be realized through the combined optimization of planting density and a pattern for nitrogen utilization.【Conclusion】Under the experimental conditions of this research, a proposed model represents a high-yield, nitrogen-saving, highly-efficient, and environment-friendly cultivation model suitable for rain-fed agricultural areas of the eastern Gansu Province. Under this model, a planting density of 7.5×10⁴ plants/ha is adopted with a nitrogen utilization amount of 150kg/ha and a 50%: 50% ratio of base manure to topdressing at the jointing stage.  

Key words: spring maize, density, nitrogen management, yield, physiological indices, Dry Loess Plateau East of Gansu