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A new perspective when examining maize fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency, incrementally.

ABSTRACT: For maize (Zea mays L.), nitrogen (N) fertilizer use is often summarized from field to global scales using average N use efficiency (NUE). But expressing NUE as averages is misleading because grain increase to added N diminishes near optimal yield. Thus, environmental risks increase as economic benefits decrease. Here, we use empirical datasets obtained in North America of maize grain yield response to N fertilizer (n = 189) to create and interpret incremental NUE (iNUE), or the change in NUE with change in N fertilization. We show for those last units of N applied to reach economic optimal N rate (EONR) iNUE for N removed with the grain is only about 6%. Conversely stated, for those last units of N applied over 90% is either lost to the environment during the growing season, remains as inorganic soil N that too may be lost after the growing season, or has been captured within maize stover and roots or soil organic matter pools. Results also showed iNUE decrease averaged 0.63% for medium-textured soils and 0.37% for fine-textured soils, attributable to fine-textured soils being more predisposed to denitrification and/or lower mineralization. Further analysis demonstrated the critical nature growing season water amount and distribution has on iNUE. Conditions with too much rainfall and/or uneven rainfall produced low iNUE. Producers realize this from experience, and it is uncertain weather that largely drives insurance fertilizer additions. Nitrogen fertilization creating low iNUE is environmentally problematic. Our results show that with modest sub-EONR fertilization and minor forgone profit, average NUE improvements of ~10% can be realized. Further, examining iNUE creates unique perspective and ideas for how to improve N fertilizer management tools, educational programs, and public policies and regulations.

SUBMITTER: Kitchen NR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9094541 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A new perspective when examining maize fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency, incrementally.

Kitchen Newell R NR Ransom Curtis J CJ Schepers James S JS Hatfield Jerry L JL Massey Raymond R Drummond Scott T ST

PloS one 20220511 5

For maize (Zea mays L.), nitrogen (N) fertilizer use is often summarized from field to global scales using average N use efficiency (NUE). But expressing NUE as averages is misleading because grain increase to added N diminishes near optimal yield. Thus, environmental risks increase as economic benefits decrease. Here, we use empirical datasets obtained in North America of maize grain yield response to N fertilizer (n = 189) to create and interpret incremental NUE (iNUE), or the change in NUE wi ...[more]

PMID: 35544470

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Project description:IntroductionControlled-release fertilizers effectively improve crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, their use increases the cost of crop production. Optimal management modes involving urea replacement with controlled-release N fertilizers to increase rice yield through enhanced NUE are not widely explored.MethodsField experiments were conducted from 2017 to 2018 to determine the effects of different controlled-release N fertilizers combined with urea [urea-N (180 kg ha-1, N1)]. We used controlled-release N (150 kg ha-1, N2) as the base, and four controlled-release N and urea-N ratio treatments [(80%:0% (N3), 60%:20% (N4), 40%:40% (N5), or 20%:60% (N6) as the base with 20% urea-N as topdressing at the panicle initiation stage under 150 kg ha-1] to study their impact on the grain yield and NUE of machine-transplanted rice.Results and discussionGrain yield and NUE were positively correlated with increases in photosynthetic production, flag leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn), root activity, N transport, and grain-filling characteristics. The photosynthetic potential and population growth rate from the jointing to the full-heading stage, highly effective leaf area index (LAI) rate and Pn at the full-heading stage, root activity at 15 d after the full-heading stage, and N transport in the leaves from the full-heading to mature stage were significantly increased by the N4 treatment, thereby increasing both grain yield and NUE. Furthermore, compared with the other N treatments, the N4 treatment promoted the mean filling rate of inferior grains, which is closely related to increased filled grains per spikelet and filled grains rate. These effects ultimately improved the grain yield (5.03-25.75%), N agronomic efficiency (NAE, 3.96-17.58%), and N partial factor productivity (NPP, 3.98-27.13%) under the N4 treatment. Thus, the N4 treatment with controlled-release N (60%) and urea-N (20%) as a base and urea-N (20%) as topdressing at the panicle-initiation stage proved effective in improving the grain yield and NUE of machine-transplanted hybrid indica rice. These findings offer a theoretical and practical basis for enhancing rice grain yield, NUE, and saving the cost of fertilizer.

Project description:γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), as an environmentally sustainable material, is extensive applied in agriculture for enhancing water and fertilizer utilization efficiency, augmenting crop yield, and ameliorating soil conditions. However, the effect of γ-PGA in conjunction with sesame cake fertilizer on the soil environment remains uncertain.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of γ-PGA on soil nutrients, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and maize yield across various levels of sesame cake fertilizer. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the optimal ratio to establish a theoretical and practical foundation for sustainable agricultural development and the promotion of ecological agriculture. Through field experiments, nine treatments were established, comprising three levels of sesame cake fertilizer application rates (B1 = 900 kg/hm2 for low fertility, B2 = 1100 kg/hm2 for medium fertility, and B3 = 1300 kg/hm2 for high fertility) and three levels of γ-PGA application rates (R1 = 200 kg/hm2, R2 = 400 kg/hm2, and R3 = 600 kg/hm2). The results can be outlined as follows: (1) When γ-PGA application rate increased, total nitrogen (TN) exhibited a synergistic effect under B1 treatment, but an antagonistic effect under B2 and B3 treatments. At the 6-leaf stage (V6), 12-leaf stage (V12), and tasseling stage (VT), available phosphorus (AP) exhibited antagonistic effects. However, at the filling stage (R2) and maturity stage (R6), AP in B1 and B2 treatments at various depths underwent partial transformation into a synergistic effect. The levels of available potassium exhibited a notable antagonistic effect, leading to a decrease in harvest index (HI). B2 treatment demonstrated superior results compared to the B1 and B3 treatments, with the highest levels observed under B2R1 treatment; (2) TN content in the 0-40 cm soil layer increased during the filling period, and it was uniformly distributed in the 40-60 cm soil layer. When the soil AP was located in the 0-60 cm soil layer, there was an increase in AP content during the mature period. Following the tasseling period, different treatments exhibited varying patterns of increase in response to the presence of potassium within the 0-60 cm soil layer. Consequently, in cases where the sesame cake fertilizer content is low, the interaction between γ-PGA can compensate for the deficiency of fertilizer, thereby enhancing water and nitrogen utilization efficiency. The optimal fertilization strategy for enhancing soil nutrient distribution, WUE and NUE, and yield is proposed to be the application of 1100 kg/hm2 sesame cake fertilizer and 200 kg/hm2 γ-PGA.

Project description:The demand for increased grain production to support population and consumption growth has led to increased interest in field management approaches that incorporate plastic mulching and fertilization management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plastic mulching and basal nitrogen (N)-fertilizer application depth on N balance estimations, N use efficiency (NUE) and maize yield. The experiment was conducted in 2014 and 2015 with six treatments: no N fertilizer and no mulching (CK), traditional broadcast N fertilizer with mulching (T0), basal N-fertilizer application at a depth of 6 cm with no mulching (T1), basal N-fertilizer application at a depth of 6 cm with plastic mulching (T2), basal N-fertilizer application at a depth of 12 cm with no mulching (T3) and basal N-fertilizer application at a depth of 12 cm with plastic mulching (T4). Mulching and basal N-fertilizer application depth each had significant effects on grain yield, but there were no significant interactions between them. The highest grain yield was observed in the T2 treatment and was 89.1% and 99.8% higher than the grain yield in the CK treatment in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The N uptake in T2 was 21.3% and 25.3% higher than that in the T0 treatment in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Relative to the value in the T0 treatment, the mean N loss over the 2 years was reduced by 34.6% in T2 and by 39.8% in T4. The basal N-fertilizer application depth of 12 cm yielded an obvious increase in NUE, but a high N residual remained below 50 cm after harvest, indicating the higher potential for N losses. In addition, the field application of this type of fertilizer management would require more labor in the absence of the implementation of mechanization. Based on the results, basal N-fertilizer application a depth of 6 cm without plastic mulching is recommended because it significantly increased grain yield and NUE, reduced N loss and requires no investment in plastic film, which are conducive to food security and environmental conservation.

Dataset Information

A new perspective when examining maize fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency, incrementally.

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A new perspective when examining maize fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency, incrementally.

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