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Journal of Integrative Agriculture
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Dense planting and nitrogen fertilizer management improve drip-irrigated spring maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency in Northeast China

Liang Fang1, 2*, Guoqiang Zhang2*, Bo Ming2, Dongping Shen1, 2, Zhen Wang1, 2, Linli Zhou1, 2, Tingting Zhang2, Zhongyu Liang2, Jun Xue2, Ruizhi Xie2, Peng Hou2, Keru Wang2, Jianquan Ye3, Shaokun Li2#

1 Oasis Ecology Agriculture of Xinjiang Construction Crops, The Center of Crop High-Yield Research, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China

2 Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Physiology and Ecology/State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100081, China

3 Tongliao Agriculture and Animal husbandry Development Center, Tongliao 028000, China

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摘要  

中国的农民经常使用氮肥来保证作物的充足生长。然而,不合理的施用增加了环境污染的风险,降低了玉米产量,减少了农民的收益。适宜的氮肥管理对于提高产量和氮肥利用效率至关重要。本研究在东北地区进行了为期三年的试验,涉及九种氮肥处理(04590135180225270315360公斤/公顷),在氮肥施用精准管理(NFPM)的田间条件下进行。将这些结果与过去十年内分析东北地区两种管理方法(传统氮肥管理(CNFM)和节水氮肥管理(WSFM))下的产量和干物质(DM)含量的研究进行比较。 研究结果表明,随着氮肥施用量的增加,玉米产量会增加,但施用量达到270公斤/公顷后,产量会下降。 采用NFPM种植的玉米的穗数(KN)和粒重(KW)分别比采用WSFM种植的玉米高出13.7%和14.7%,分别比采用CNFM种植的玉米高出38.4%和21.2%。NFPM处理的最大总产量比WSFMCNFM分别高出41.878.8%。此外,与CNFMWSFM相比,NFPM显著提高了各种氮水平处理下的氮肥利用效率(NUE)。优化氮肥管理有助于农民获得更高的产量,促进可持续农业发展。



Abstract  

Farmers in China often use nitrogen (N) fertilizers to ensure adequate crop growth. However, injudicious applications have increased the risk of environmental pollution, lower maize yields, and reduced profits for farmers.  Appropriate N fertilizer management is crucial for improving yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This study conducted a three-year experiment involving nine N treatments (0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315, and 360 kg ha-1) on a field under nitrogen fertilizer precision management (NFPM) in Northeast China.  These results were compared with studies published within the past decade that analyzed yield and dry matter (DM) content under two management practices in Northeast China: conventional nitrogen fertilization management (CNFM) and water-saving fertilization management (WSFM).  The findings reveal that maize yield increases with rising N application rates up to 270 kg ha-1, after which yield decreases.  The kernel number (KN) and kernel weights (KW) of maize grown under NFPM were 13.7 and 14.7% higher than those grown under WSFM, respectively.  Furthermore, they surpassed crops grown under CNFM by 38.4 and 21.2%, respectively.  The maximum total yield of the NFPM treatment was 41.8 and 78.8% higher than WSFM and CNFM, respectively.  Additionally, compared with CNFM and WSFM, NFPM significantly increased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) across various N-level treatments. Optimizing nitrogen management could help farmers achieve higher yields and promote sustainable agricultural development.

Keywords:  maize        yield        dense planting        drip irrigation        N use efficiency        N fertilizer management  
Online: 26 September 2024  
Fund: 
We are grateful for research support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (M2142005) and the Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Major Project, China (2021ZD0003).
About author:  #Correspondence Shaokun Li, E-mail: lishaokun@caas.cn *These authors have contributed equally to this research work.

Cite this article: 

Liang Fang, Guoqiang Zhang, Bo Ming, Dongping Shen, Zhen Wang, Linli Zhou, Tingting Zhang, Zhongyu Liang, Jun Xue, Ruizhi Xie, Peng Hou, Keru Wang, Jianquan Ye, Shaokun Li. 2024. Dense planting and nitrogen fertilizer management improve drip-irrigated spring maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency in Northeast China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, Doi:10.1016/j.jia.2024.09.032

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