The Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Methods on Dry Matter Accumulation and Distribution in Maize

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jlsa.202607206

Author(s)

Qingzheng Xi, Tangzhe Nie*

Affiliation(s)

School of Water Conservancy and Electric Power, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

Maize is one of China’s three major grain crops and a core grain crop in Heilongjiang Province. Its dry matter accumulation and distribution directly determine yield levels, and nitrogen fertilizer application methods are key factors in regulating this process. To identify a nitrogen management regimen suitable for the cold black soil region, this study employed split-plot field experiments using Zhengtai No. 1 maize. Two factors were set: nitrogen application depth (deep application at 15 cm and surface application) and nitrogen application rate (240, 270, 290 kg·hm-2) as the two main factors, while also including a control without nitrogen application, to systematically investigate the effects of different nitrogen application combinations on above-ground dry matter accumulation and organ allocation ratios during the maize maturity stage. The results showed that the aboveground dry matter yield of maize in all nitrogen-applied treatments was significantly higher than that of the no-nitrogen control. Dry matter yield initially increased with increasing nitrogen application rate before stabilizing, reaching a peak at 270 kg·hm-2; aboveground dry matter yield in the deep nitrogen application treatment was 5.2% higher than in the shallow application treatment at the soil surface, and nitrogen application rate was the dominant factor regulating maize dry matter accumulation. In terms of dry matter allocation, deep nitrogen application increased the proportion of dry matter allocated to the ear by 3.6% compared to shallow application, while the proportion allocated to vegetative organs such as stems and leaves decreased by 8.3%; The optimal proportion of dry matter allocated to the ear was observed at a nitrogen application rate of 270 kg·hm-2; in the DN2 treatment, the ear’s proportion reached 59.41%, an increase of 4.55% compared to the control. Excessive nitrogen application up to 290 kg·hm-2 reduced the efficiency of dry matter allocation to the ear. This study identified deep nitrogen application at 15 cm combined with a nitrogen rate of 270 kg·hm-2 as the optimal application regimen for corn in cold-region chernozems, providing theoretical and technical support for achieving green high-yield corn production and efficient nitrogen utilization in the region.

Keywords

Deep Nitrogen Application; Reduced Nitrogen Application; Dry Matter Accumulation; Dry Matter Allocation

References

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