Enhanced maize yield and nitrogen efficiency with low molecular weight fulvic acid: insights into chlorophyll a/b ratio and nitrogen metabolising enzyme activity

Fugui Li, Shujie Zhang, Longhang Chai, Zhiqiang Guo, Peipei Li, Yanlai Han and Yi Wang
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Fugui Li: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
Shujie Zhang: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
Longhang Chai: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
Zhiqiang Guo: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
Peipei Li: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
Yanlai Han: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China
Yi Wang: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, P.R. China

Plant, Soil and Environment, 2024, vol. 70, issue 10, 632-643

Abstract: This study investigates the impact of various molecular weights (MWs) of fulvic acid (FA) on maize growth, grain yield, and nutrient uptake under different nitrogen levels (NLs). A 2 × 3 balanced design was employed, with high (0.2 g N/kg) and low (0.05 g N/kg) NLs, and three FA MW ranges (W1 ≤ 3 000 D, 3 000 < W2 ≤ 10 000 D, W3 > 10 000 D) were applied at 25 mg/kg in soil. Significant interactions between NLs and FA MWs were observed in chlorophyll a/b ratio, nitrate reductase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities, nitrogen content, and nitrogen uptake efficiency. Overall, under different NLs, FA application reduced chlorophyll a/b ratio, increased nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities, promoted maize growth, and thereby improved grain yield and nitrogen fertiliser uptake efficiency. Additionally, the promotion effect of low MW FA on these indicators outweighed that of high MW FA, yet the latter exhibited a more pronounced effect on increasing grain nitrogen concentration. Structural equation model analysis revealed direct effects of chlorophyll content, nitrogen accumulation, nitrogen uptake efficiency, NLs and FA MWs on maize grain yield, with FA MWs negatively impacting yield.

Keywords: low nitrogen stress; nitrogen utilisation; plant growth; Zea mays L (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:70:y:2024:i:10:id:320-2024-pse

DOI: 10.17221/320/2024-PSE

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