Evaluation of Nitrogen Yield-Forming Efficiency in the Cultivation of Maize ( Zea mays L.) under Different Nutrient Management Systems

Piotr Szulc, Katarzyna Ambroży-Deręgowska, Iwona Mejza, Stanisław Grześ, Waldemar Zielewicz, Barbara Stachowiak and Przemysław Kardasz
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Piotr Szulc: Department of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland
Katarzyna Ambroży-Deręgowska: Department of Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
Iwona Mejza: Department of Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
Stanisław Grześ: Department of Agronomy, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland
Waldemar Zielewicz: Department of Grassland and Natural Landscape Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznan, Poland
Barbara Stachowiak: Department of Food Technology of Plant Origin, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 31, 60-624 Poznan, Poland
Przemysław Kardasz: Field Experimental Station in Winna Gora, Institute of Plant Protection—National Research Institute, Poznan, 63-013 Szlachcin, Poland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: Failure to adjust the fertilization system to quantitative needs, and especially to the dynamics of mineral demand, causes plant metabolism disorders, low mineral utilization by the plant, and an increased risk of environmental pollution. Additionally, unbalanced mineral fertilization may reduce the assimilation surface actively involved in photosynthesis, which determines the yield potential of individual varieties. The aim of the strict field experiment was to determine the responses of two types of maize varieties ( Zea mays L.) to treatments with different nutrient management systems, as expressed by the growth analysis of active organs during photosynthesis, SPAD (soil and plant analysis development) leaf greenness index, green mass yield, and unit nitrogen productivity from PFPFN mineral fertilization (partial factor productivity fertilizer nitrogen). It was demonstrated that the total area of leaf blades of a single plant and the LAI (leaf area index) value were significantly higher in the “stay-green” hybrid compared to the traditional variety. The analysis of leaf morphological structure of the “stay-green” hybrid, based on SLA (specific leaf area), indicated a highly effective utilization of nitrogen, leading to faster leaf production with a larger assimilation area, which formed the basis for effective absorption of solar radiation. The selection of “stay-green” varieties for silage cultivation guarantees high green mass yields. The risk of lower maize biomass intended for ensilage can only be reduced by applying balanced mineral fertilization of all nutrients. The omission of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the mineral fertilization dose, regardless of the variety tested, was a factor reducing the yield of maize biomass intended for ensilage and a lower partial factor productivity of nitrogen fertilizer compared to the treatment optimally balanced with respect to the nitrogen dose.

Keywords: maize; mineral fertilization; SPAD; green mass yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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