Interactive effects of nitrogen and water stresses on biomass accumulation, nitrogen uptake, and seed yield of maize☆
Abstract
Although considerable data exist on the growth, development, and productivity of crops in response to nutrients or water applied alone, much less data are available to describe the interactive effects of water and nitrogen. The objective of this study was to determine the interactive effects of N fertilizer and water on biomass (dry-matter) accumulation, N-uptake, and seed yield of maize (Zea mays L.) growing on sandy soils. Field-grown maize was subjected to three water management treatments: (1) optimal irrigation; (2) a 10-day wilting period immediately preceding silking (vegetative stress); and (3) rainfed. Within each water management treatment, two N treatments were imposed: (1) low N, consisting of a total of 11.6 g N M−2 applied in three side-dress applications; and (2) high N, consisting of a total of 40.1 g N m−2 applied in six side-dress applications. The effects of water and N stress on the crop were determined by growth analysis and measurements of N uptake made throughout the growing season.
3ow soil N significantly reduced leaf area as a result of reduced leaf size, but had little effect on the final number of leaves produced. However, both water and N stress lengthened the time from emergence to tasseling and silking. Accumulation rates of total biomass, seed weight, and N showed interactions with water and N. With high N, the 10-day wilting period preceing silking reduced biomass and seed yields by 22% and 19%, respectively, while the rainfed treatment resulted in 66% and 75% reductions. Low N also reduced biomass and seed yields in both the optimal irrigation and vegetative stress treatments. However, with severe water stress, N level had no effect on total crop biomass, N accumulation, or grain yields. When high N levels were applied, water stress reduced the efficiency of N utilization. With high N, crop N uptake in the optimal irrigation, vegetative stress, and rainfed treatments amounted to 67%, 53%, and 26% of that applied, respectively. With low N, the optimal irrigation and vegetative stress treatments accumulated N amounts near that applied. When severe water stress was imposed in combination with low N, only 60% of the applied N was accumulated by the crop. Nitrogen deficiency did not improve drought resistance of field-grown maize, as has sometimes been suggested.
References (23)
- J.W. Jones et al.
Interactive effects of water and nitrogen stresses on carbon and water vapor exchange of corn canopies
Agric. For. Meteorol.
(1986) - F.G. Viets
Fertilizers and the efficient use of water
Adv. Agron.
(1962) - J.M. Bennett et al.
Interactive effects of nitrogen and water stresses on water relations of field-grown corn leaves
Agron. J.
(1986) - C.A. Black
Crop yields in relation to water supply and soil fertility
- N.C. Bosemark
The influence of nitrogen in root development
Physiol. Plant.
(1954) - R. Brouwer
Nutritive influences on the distribution of dry matter in plants
Neth. J. Agric. Sci.
(1962) - H.B. Eck
Irrigated corn yield response to nitrogen and water
Agron. J.
(1984) - J.R. Gerwing et al.
Fertilizer N distribution under irrigation between soil, plant, and aquifer
J. Environ. Qual.
(1979) - D.A. Graetz et al.
Nitrate movement in Eustis fine sand planted to millet
- S.K. Jurgens et al.
Dry matter production and translocation in maize subjected to drought during grain fill
Agron. J.
(1978)
Dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium accumulation rates by corn on Norfolk loamy sand
Agron. J.
Cited by (109)
Mechanisms and modelling approaches for excessive rainfall stress on cereals: Waterlogging, submergence, lodging, pests and diseases
2024, Agricultural and Forest MeteorologyAs the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events are projected to increase under climate change, assessing their impact on cropping systems and exploring feasible adaptation options is increasingly critical. Process-based crop models (PBCMs), which are widely used in climate change impact assessments, have improved in simulating the impacts of major extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts but still fail to reproduce low crop yields under wet conditions. Here, we provide an overview of yield-loss mechanisms of excessive rainfall in cereals (i.e., waterlogging, submergence, lodging, pests and diseases) and associated modelling approaches with the aim of guiding PBCM improvements. Some PBCMs simulate waterlogging and ponding environments, but few capture aeration stresses on crop growth. Lodging is often neglected by PBCMs; however, some stand-alone mechanistic lodging models exist, which can potentially be incorporated into PBCMs. Some frameworks link process-based epidemic and crop models with consideration of different damage mechanisms. However, the lack of data to calibrate and evaluate these model functions limit the use of such frameworks. In order to generate data for model improvement and close knowledge gaps, targeted experiments on damage mechanisms of waterlogging, submergence, pests and diseases are required. However, consideration of all damage mechanisms in PBCM may result in excessively complex models with a large number of parameters, increasing model uncertainty. Modular frameworks could assist in selecting necessary mechanisms and lead to appropriate model structures and complexity that fit a specific research question. Lastly, there are potential synergies between PBCMs, statistical models, and remotely sensed data that could improve the prediction accuracy and understanding of current PBCMs' shortcomings.
Maize yield as affected by the interaction of fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus in the Guinea savanna of Nigeria
2022, HeliyonThe soils of the Nigeria savannas are particularly low in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and negatively affects maize productivity. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the interactive effect of N and P fertilizers on maize growth, grain yield, nitrogen uptake and N use efficiency. Field experiments were conducted during the 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons at Iburu in southern Guinea and Zaria in northern Guinea savanna zones of Nigeria. The treatments consisted of three levels of nitrogen (0, 60, and 120 kg N ha−1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 13, and 26 kg P ha−1). The experimental design consisted of three replications in a split-plot design, with N as the main plot and P as the subplot. Our results show that the response of maize to N depends on the application of P. Higher yields were obtained with the combined application of 120 kg N ha−1 and 26 kg P ha−1 in both locations. With no P applied, plant N uptake (PNU) was greater at N rate of 120 kg ha−1 at Iburu while in Zaria, it increases with increase in N from 0 to 60 kg ha−1. When P was applied at 13 kg ha−1, the PNU increased by 52 and 66% at Iburu while in Zaria the increases were 51 and 57% each with N application of 60 and 120 kg ha−1, respectively, compared with zero N rate. The values for N recovery efficiency (NRE) and agronomic efficiency (AE) were lower for N rate of 120 than for 60 kg ha−1 irrespective of P application rate at both locations. The N utilization efficiency (NUTE) however was higher at 120 N kg ha−1 under 26 kg P ha−1across locations. It can be concluded from these results that in low fertile soils environments such as the Nigeria savannas, N fertilizer should be applied along with P fertilizer for optimum growth, grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency of maize.
Improving the AquaCrop model to achieve direct simulation of evapotranspiration under nitrogen stress and joint simulation-optimization of irrigation and fertilizer schedules
2022, Agricultural Water ManagementWater and fertilizer management strategy profoundly influences crop yield, water and nitrogen use efficiency. In this study, a framework for joint simulation-optimization of irrigation and fertilizer schedules (JSOIFS) was established by coupling the improved AquaCrop model, W*N-Jensen model and multi-objective programming. Firstly, the AquaCrop model was modified to simulate evapotranspiration (ET) under nitrogen stress through introducing the concept of shoot actual, critical and minimal nitrogen concentration. The accuracy and applicability of the improved AquaCrop model to simulate ET were verified, taking seed maize of Shiyanghe River Basin as a case. On the basis, an optimization model with the objective of maximum yield calculated by W*N-Jensen model and water use efficiency was developed under the scenarios of different levels of available water and nitrogen, and initial soil mineral nitrogen content. Results showed that the improved model can simulate canopy cover (CC) and ET well with and without water stress. Meanwhile, the precision for CC, biomass, ET and yield of seed maize can be guaranteed when water and nitrogen stress coexist. It indicated that the improved model can be used for irrigation and fertilizer management. The optimal irrigation and fertilizer schedules pointed out that the irrigation and nitrogen application, and initial soil mineral nitrogen all have significant effects on yield. In low fertility soils, irrigation should be concentrated during tasseling stage and fertilization is as critical as irrigation. Conversely, in high fertility soils, irrigation should be dispersed throughout the growth period. Water and nitrogen use efficiency have been promoted compared with the status quo. The recommended water and nitrogen application for seed maize are 150–200 mm and 100–150 kg N/ha, respectively, in study area with the mean soil mineral nitrogen of 182 kg N/ha. The improvement of ET simulation performance of AquaCrop model under simultaneous stress of water and nitrogen provides convenience for achieving precise crop management. Meanwhile, the JSOIFS framework realizes the efficient irrigation and fertilizer schedules in arid areas, improves the resources use rate, and is equally applicable to other regions with the same goals.
Cover crop effects on maize drought stress and yield
2021, Agriculture, Ecosystems and EnvironmentCover crops have been proposed as a tool for adapting cropping systems to drought stress caused by climate change. However, little research has directly evaluated whether cover crops reduce drought stress in the following cash crop. We grew maize in both ambient and imposed drought conditions following four functionally diverse cover crops and a fallow control in a two-site-year study. We looked for evidence that cover crops reduced drought stress by improving cash crop water access or nitrogen (N) status. The study was embedded in an organic cropping systems trial in Pennsylvania, USA. Cover crops and manure fertilizer were incorporated with full inversion tillage.
Overall, cover crops neither ameliorated nor exacerbated drought stress in the following maize crop. There was no interaction between cover crop and moisture treatment in a mixed model ANOVA predicting maize kernel yield in either year. Drought reduced yield by 33 % in 2014 and 17 % in 2015. Cereal rye (Secale cereale L. cv. Aroostook) reduced yield relative to cover crop treatments that contained legumes by up to 43 %. There were no other yield differences among cover crop treatments, including the fallow control. Our results are likely influenced by the short legacy of cover cropping (only one or two preceding cover crops) and the use of full inversion tillage. Cover crops may have greater potential to reduce maize drought stress after long-term use, in systems with less soil disturbance, and when residues are retained on the soil surface. Further research is needed to assess the potential for cover crops and other soil-building practices to reduce drought stress by increasing infiltration rates, improving soil water-holding capacity, enhancing cash crop root exploration, and reducing evaporation from the soil surface.
Multiple lines of evidence in this study lead to a new hypothesis: cropping systems that rely on cover crops and other organic amendments for N supply may be at risk for N limitation under drought. First, drought reduced mineralization of N from cover crop residues, especially cereal rye. Second, drought reduced maize N status when topsoil drying was more severe. Since cover crop residues and manure were concentrated in the plow layer (top 20 cm) and maize roots extended into the subsoil, topsoil drying may have reduced N mineralization more than crop water uptake. Further research is needed to determine whether and under what circumstances the hypothesized effect meaningfully reduces crop yield.
Long-term drainage, subirrigation, and tile spacing effects on maize production
2021, Field Crops ResearchFlooding and drought are the most damaging abiotic stresses affecting maize production in the United States. To combat these stresses, subsurface tile drainage systems were used in conjunction with water-level control structures for subirrigation of claypan soils. The objective of this research was to develop an understanding of climate and drain tile spacing on maize plant population, grain moisture, grain yield, and grain quality measured from drainage only (DO, tile spacing 6.1 and 12.2 m), drainage and subirrigation (DSI, tile spacing 6.1 and 12.2 m), non-drained delayed planting (DP), and non-drained (ND) treatments in a 17 year (2002–2018) experiment. Production data were classified into normal, wet, and dry years based on precipitation received during the 2nd quarter (Q2, Apr. to Jun.) and 3rd quarter (Q3, Jul. to Sep.). There was not a single year in 17-yr of research that received normal precipitation in Q2 and Q3 (314 ± 43 and 288 ± 34 mm) compared to 29-yr historical precipitation data. Data were collected at 3.1 m intervals above and between the 6.1 and 12.2 m tile lines and compared among drainage treatments and weather classifications (WC). A yield increase of 20–32% (2.6 to 3.9 Mg ha−1) with DSI above the tile compared to DP and ND treatments when data were averaged over WC. In years classified as dry-dry, yields above the DSI tiles were >60 % compared to DP and ND. Grain yield was highest for years that had less than average precipitation during Q2 classified (dry) followed by a normal or wet Q3 period. Grain yield variability among WC was between 10.8 to 16.2 Mg ha−1 for DSI-6.1 and -12.2 above the tile whereas it was between 2.9 to 15.1 Mg ha−1 for ND. Grain yield variability generally decreased from a dry to a normal year. Long-term yield data indicated that narrower drain tile spacings with subirrigation reduce grain yield variability in dry and wet environments; however, the cost-effectiveness of these systems needs to be determined.
Stover biogas potential of corn crops grown under contrasting water availability and nitrogen supply
2021, Biomass and BioenergyCorn stover is a biogas feedstock capable of enhancing agriculture bioenergy potential. Although the influence of growing conditions on biogas yield of corn stover has been reported, the joint effects of water and nitrogen on biogas production potential have not been addressed. A two year experiment (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2) was conducted in Balcarce, Argentina to assess nitrogen supply effects on stover composition and potential methane yield of corn crops grown under contrasting water regimes. Treatments were a combination of two nitrogen fertilization doses (0 and 120 kg ha−1) and two water regimes (irrigated and rainfed). Biomass composition (mass closure procedure) was determined, a BMP test was carried out and first-order kinetic parameters were obtained. Interactive effects of nitrogen and water on stover composition were found. BMP tests showed that the biogas production rate (k) decreased upon irrigation while its response to nitrogen depended on water availability. Nitrogen supply decreased specific biogas potential (Bmax) independently of water availability. Methane yield increased with nitrogen fertilization under irrigation, while it decreased under rainfed conditions. The observed water and nitrogen supply interactive effects on stover yield, methane yield and biomass conversion efficiency highlights the importance of considering the joint effects of multiple factors when trying to assess the effects of the environment on biomass quality for bioenergy purposes.
- ☆
Contribution from the Depts. of Agronomy, Soil Science, and Agricultural Engineering, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611. Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations Journal Series no. 8847.