Effects of Planting Density and Nitrogen (N) Application Rate on Light Energy Utilization and Yield of Maize

Chuntong Meng, Zhaoyue Wang, Ying Cai, Fengyi Du, Jinyang Chen and Chunhua Xiao ()
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Chuntong Meng: Department of Resources and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Zhaoyue Wang: Department of Resources and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Ying Cai: Department of Resources and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Fengyi Du: Department of Resources and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Jinyang Chen: Department of Resources and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
Chunhua Xiao: Department of Resources and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: Planting density and N fertilizer application amount directly affect the planting quality of maize. Therefore, this study analyzed the impact of these two factors on light energy utilization and yield. The field experiment was carried out with Xinyu 57 maize as the experimental variety. An experiment was set up with four different planting densities and three different N fertilizer concentrations. The light use efficiency, productivity, and growth of maize were observed. The effects of planting density and N fertilization on light use efficiency at the heading stage were analyzed in detail. Finally, it was concluded that high-density planting and the proper application of N fertilizer can significantly improve the light energy efficiency and yield of maize. High-density planting has a significant effect on corn light energy utilization. Increasing N fertilizer can improve the photosynthetic characteristics of plants, increase the content of photosynthetic pigments in maize ear leaves, and improve the utilization rate of light energy and yield.

Keywords: maize; planting density; N fertilization rate; light use efficiency: yield; agronomic traits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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