Abstract:

【Objective】 The effect of fertilizer application on biomass dry weight and element distribution in various organs of maize (Zea mays L.) was investigated to disclose the internal mechanism of fertilizer effect on crop. 【Method】 Five fertilizer treatments were designed, i.e.no fertilizer (CK), nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer (NP), and nitrogen-potassium fertilizer (NK), phosphorus-potassium (PK), and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (NPK). A field experiment on the response of biomass dry weight and N, P, K, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn element distribution in stem, leaf and seed of maize to different fertilizer application treatments was carried out. 【Result】 The results showed that dry weight, element content of various organs of maize were different. N content in various organs was in the order of leaf ＞seed＞stem; P content was in the order of seed＞leaf＞stem; K content was in the order of stem＞leaf＞seed; Fe content was in the order leaf ＞stem＞seed. Fertilizer application reduced the differences in N, P, K, and Fe content in various organs, and changed the ratio of between dry weight and the Cu, Zn contents in leaf, seed and stem. Except for a few treatments, the response trend of N, P, Fe elements to fertilizer application was similar to Cu and Zn. The response of element content in various organs of maize to different fertilizer combinations was also different. The response extent of the major elements of N, P and K to fertilizer application was larger than microelements Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn. The response extent of stem and leaf was larger than seed. The response of elements to NPK fertilizer treatment was bigger than NP, NK, and PK. On the whole, response differences of element distribution to various fertilizer treatments were not remarkable. Besides, element distribution in various organs of maize was also influenced by the mutual effect of fertilizer varieties. 【Conclusion】 The response trend and extent of various element distributions to different fertilizer treatments had both similarities and differences. Adjusting fertilizer application could change the biomass dry weight and element distribution in various organs of maize, thus promoting the uptake and cycle of nutrients. This investigation has provided a useful information for high yield production.

Key words: element distribution, fertilizer application, maize