Nitrogen and genotype effects on root growth and root survivorship of spring wheat

The nitrogen (N) fertilization of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is important for stable and high grain yield. However, the effect of N on root growth and survivorship is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the effect of varying N availability on the growth and survivorship of roots and (2) to determine whether genotypic variation in N‐related traits are linked to root growth and survivorship. In a two‐year study, two spring wheat cultivars (Albis and Toronit) and an experimental line (L94491) were grown under low (20 kg N ha^–1) and high N supply (270 kg N ha^–1) in lysimeters equipped with minirhizotrons. The genotypes showed significant differences in N‐related traits: total shoot N content, grain N yield, N harvest index, and rate of decline in flag‐leaf greenness. However, there were relatively weak and inconsistent genotypic effects on the time course of root density, root growth during grain filling, and root survivorship. The level of N supply was the factor that most influenced the establishment, growth, and survivorship of roots; the high N supply, depending on the year and genotype, increased growth and survivorship of roots from 0% to 68% and 24% to 34%, respectively.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on carbon and nitrogen partitioning after flowering in maize

Low nitrogen (N) supply may change assimilate partitioning between plant organs. We measured the effect of N supply on partitioning of recently assimilated ¹³C and recently absorbed ¹⁵N between generative and vegetative plant organs of two maize genotypes (Zea mays L.) 14 d after silking, i.e., during the lag phase of kernel growth. Furthermore, net partitioning of dry matter and N were assessed during grain filling. Plants were grown in a greenhouse in large containers. Our hypothesis was that N deficiency reduces grain set due to low partitioning of carbon (C) and N to the grains during the lag phase and reduces grain yield also because of excessive remobilization of N from the leaves during grain filling. During the lag phase, low N supply increased partitioning of recently assimilated photosynthates towards stem and roots at the expense of partitioning towards reproductive organs. However, despite of diminished sink strength of the reproductive organs for photosynthates, sugar concentrations in the grains of N‐deficient plants were increased, indicating that kernel set and potential kernel weight were not limited by low C supply at the end of the lag phase. In contrast to C, partitioning of recently absorbed N towards the reproductive organs was increased at low N supply at the expense of partitioning towards the roots. This indicates different mechanisms for the regulation of C and N distribution within the plant. During grain filling, biomass partitioning between plant organs was more affected by genotype than by rate of N supply. Nitrogen accumulation in the grains substantially exceeded total N uptake in the plant after flowering. Excess N accumulation in the grains was covered mainly by depletion of stem N at high N supply and by depletion of leaf N at low N supply. However, high concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates in the stem at maturity indicated that grain yield of N‐deficient plants was not limited by low source strength of N‐depleted leaves.     

Effects of different water regimes and nitrogen application strategies on grain filling characteristics and grain yield in hybrid rice

In order to optimize N application and understand how the different combinations of water and N management affect grain filling characteristics and yield, we designed three irrigation regimes (W₁ submerged irrigation, W₂ alternate irrigation, W₃ dry cultivation), and different N application strategies at 180 kg ha^?1 in 2010 and 2011. The relationship between grain filling characteristics and grain yield formation were respectively investigated. The results revealed that there were obvious interacting effects of irrigation regime and N application strategies on grain yield and grain-filling characteristics as well. Compared with W₁ and W₃ treatments, under W₂, the N-fertilizer should account for 30% base, 30% tillering, and 40% panicle fertilizer with the last being applied equally at 4th and 2nd leaves emerged from the top. Correlation analysis revealed that grain filling rate during middle grain-filling stage was the largest and contribute more than 50% to grain-filling. Grain yield was significantly related to grain filling rate (G_max or G_mean), final weight of a kernel (A), and mean grain filling rate (MGR) of the early, mid and late stages during grain filling in inferior spikelets, which is the important reason for water and N coupling effect further to increase yield and fertilizer use efficiency.     

Correlation of soil test nitrogen with potato yields

Abstract

Yield response of Idaho Russet Burbank potatoes to nitrogen fertilizer was related to soil test for inorganic N (NO₃ ^‐ and NH₄ ⁺) in a total of 27 field experiments over a 3‐year period using polynomial correlation and regression analysis. Nitrate plus ammonium nitrogen content in the surface foot of soil was found to be useful in predicting yield response of potatoes to applied nitrogen.

Correlations between yield and extractable N were considerably better when the data from each cropping system were analyzed separately than when all locations were analyzed as one group. Additional improvement was obtained by including extractable ammonium nitrogen and nitrogen in the second foot of soil respectively. The best correlation with yield was found using (NO₃ ^‐ + NH₄ ⁺)‐N in the surface foot following grain and the top two feet following non‐grain crops with R² values of 0.875 and 0.821 respectively.     

Influence of variety and nitrogen fertilizer on productivity and trait association of malting barley

Poor soil fertility is a major constraint to crop productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization, variety and growing season on grain yield and yield related traits, and determine relationships among agronomic traits of malting barley. The treatments studied were five N levels (0, 23, 46, 69 and 92?kg ha^?1) and two malting barley varieties (Miscal-21 and Holker) over three growing seasons (2012, 2013 and 2014) at Bekoji, south eastern Ethiopia. The results revealed that as N rates increased, grain yield, number of tillers and spikes per square meter, biomass yield at harvest, days to physiological maturity, spike length and number of kernels per spike increased, but harvest index decreased. Grain yield, harvest index, number of tillers and spikes per square meter, spike length and biomass yield at harvest were greater in Miscal-21, whilst days to maturity and number of kernels per spike were greater in Holker. Grain yield, harvest index, number of tillers and spikes per square meter, spike length, biomass yield at harvest and days to maturity were significantly affected by seasonal conditions, but spike length and kernels per spike were not affected. Grain yield was positively influenced by the number of tillers per square meter, biomass yield at harvest, spikes per square meter, spike length, kernels per spike and harvest index. However, the number of tillers per square meter followed by biomass yield and spikes per square meter largely determined grain yield. The results of the current study suggest that genetic improvement of those yield related traits is the likely basis of increasing grain yield in barley.     

Foliar fertilization of soybeans (Glycine max L.)

Abstract

The effects of foliar fertilizer applications to soybeans during seed‐filling were examined using a complete factorial design with four levels each of nitrogen (N), phosphorus plus potassium (P+K) and sulfur (S). Hodgson soybeans were planted in 76‐cm rows on a Piano silt loam (Typic Argiudoll) in 1976 and 1977. Four fertilizer spray applications were made at 7‐ to 10‐day intervals beginning at stage R₄ ². The application of N generally increased yield, seed weight, and percent N in the grain both years of the experiment. Phosphorus, K, and S had little influence on the parameters measured. Leaf burn after each fertilizer application was significantly increased by most levels of fertilizer addition.     

Timing and level of nitrogen supply affect nitrogen distribution and recovery in two contrasting oat genotypes

Human diets containing oat (Avena sativa L.) grain offer health benefits resulting in an emerging interest in oat improvement. Information on nitrogen (N) uptake, distribution, and use efficiency (NUE) in oat is limited. A greenhouse study using a ¹⁵N‐labeling technique was conducted to determine the responses of two contrasting oat genotypes to timing and level of N deficiency. Hulled oat cv. Prescott and hulless cv. AC Gehl were grown in soil‐mix pot culture with five N treatments applied through modified Hoagland solutions. Differences in ¹⁵N accumulation, ¹⁵N distribution, plant N originating from the labeled source, and NUE between the contrasting cultivars, were examined for each N strategy. Level of N deficiency and timing of N supply of ¹⁵NH₄¹⁵NO₃ greatly affected ¹⁵N distribution, the origins of plant N, and the amount of ¹⁵N recovered in the plant. When N was supplied from seedling emergence to maturity (T₁), AC Gehl accumulated 61% more ¹⁵N in the shoots, but 46% less ¹⁵N in the grain than Prescott (0.43 vs. 0.80 mg plant^–1), indicating that AC Gehl was less effective in producing grain yield than Prescott as AC Gehl produced greater total dry matter (DM). Withholding N supply until flag‐leaf stage (FL) increased ¹⁵N in the grain of both cultivars by 29.6%, resulting in the highest NUE. In most cases, there were larger portions of plant N derived from the labeled source for AC Gehl than for Prescott. Our results suggest that greater NUE in the newly released AC Gehl was associated with N accumulation in the vegetative tissues. It is concluded that genotype improvement of hulless oat should be focused on enhancing N‐translocation efficiency.     

Genetic variation in nitrogen‐use efficiency of tef

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is the ancient and most important cereal food crop of Ethiopia. A set of 20 tef genotypes was investigated in field experiments at three environments in Ethiopia to estimate genetic variation in nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency and in characters related to N accumulation as well as their relationships to grain yield. In each environment, genotypes representing both widely grown landraces and recently released cultivars were grown under three N‐fertilizer rates (0, 4, and 8 g m^–2 N). In grain yield, modern cultivars were superior to landraces, whereas in other characters, differences were less clear. The variation in grain yield was significantly related to the variation in total grain N and total plant N. Grain yield weakly correlated with N‐utilization efficiency and N harvest index. Broad sense heritability was higher for grain yield, total grain N, total plant N, and N harvest index than for N‐use, N‐uptake, and N‐utilization efficiencies. The contribution of uptake efficiency to the variation in N‐use efficiency decreased from 75% to 55% and that of utilization efficiency increased from 22% to 43% at the 4 to 8 g m^–2 N‐supply rate change. This study clearly suggests that tef N‐use efficiency would be increased by selecting genotypes with greater uptake efficiency at low N‐supply levels.     

Nutrient solution nitrogen form and barley yellow dwarf virus disease tolerance in oat and wheat

Abstract

The form of nutrient solution nitrogen (either NH₄‐N or NO₃‐N or mixtures of the two) provided to plants influences the severity of many crop diseases. This greenhouse study was conducted to determine how growth, grain yield, and yield components of oat (Avena sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants given nutrient solutions containing different ratios of NO₃‐N to NH₄‐N would react to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) infection. Fifteen‐day‐old seedlings (2nd leaf stage) were either infected with BYDV (PAV strain) or left uninfected. Nutrient solution treatments (started 19 d after germination) provided three ratios of NO₃‐N to NH₄‐N (100% NO₃, 50:50 NH₄:NO₃, or 100% NH₄) for a 30‐d period, after which plant height and tillers plant^?1 were measured. Oat and wheat plants given NH₄ had fewer tillers than plants given the other nutrient solution treatments. BYDV‐infected oat and wheat plants were shorter than uninfected plants. All pots then received NO₃ nutrient solution until plant maturity, after which days to anthesis, primary tiller height, grain yield and yield components were measured. In the NH₄ nutrient solution treatments, BYDV infection significantly reduced individual kernel weight in oat and primary tiller height in wheat. These same measures were not significantly affected by BYDV infection in the NO₃ or NH₄NO₃ nutrient solution treatments. There were no other significant nutrient solution by BYDV infection interactions for any other dependent variable measured. Nutrient solution treatments had no significant effect on grain yield, but BYDV infection reduced grain yield by 45% in oat and 46% in wheat. In conclusion, nutrient solution N form interacted with BYDV infection to alter disease tolerance in oat (kernel weight) and wheat (primary tiller height), but these alterations had no effect in ameliorating grain yield loss caused by BYDV disease.     

Responses of photosynthesis,chlorophyll fluorescence,and grain yield of maize to controlled‐release urea and irrigation after anthesis

Controlled‐release urea (CRU) is a new type of urea, which may increase crop nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency compared with conventional urea (CU), but the conditions where it outperforms urea are not well defined. A field experiment assessing responses of plant growth and grain yield of maize to CRU and irrigation was conducted on a typical agricultural farm in Shandong, China. Five treatments of the two types of urea (75, 150 kg N ha^–1, 0 kg N ha^–1) were applied as basal fertilizer when sowing maize, and two water treatments (W₀ and W₁) were used 23 d after anthesis. Net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and chlorophyll concentration as well as leaf‐area index (LAI) increased significantly by both CRU and CU application, with the increases being larger in CRU‐treated plants than in CU‐treated plants at grain filling and maturing stages. CRU significantly enhanced the maximum photochemical efficiency (F_v / F_m), PSII coefficient of photochemical fluorescence quenching (q_P), and actual quantum yield of PSII electron transformation (Φ_PSII) but decreased the nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). Cob‐leaf N concentration of CRU‐treated plants was significantly higher than that of CU‐treated plants under no irrigation, but not in the irrigation treatment 30 d after anthesis. Significant positive correlations were found between cob‐leaf N concentration and P_N both with and without irrigation. Grain yield of maize was significantly higher in the CRU treatment than in the CU treatment under both irrigation conditions. In conclusion, CRU as a basal application appeared to increase the N‐use efficiency for maize relative to CU especially by maintaining N supply after anthesis.     

Nitrogen Dynamics and Losses in Direct‐Drilled Maize Systems

Abstract

The knowledge of nitrogen (N) losses in direct‐drilling agrosystems is essential to develop strategies to increase fertilizer efficiency and to minimize environmental damage. The objectives were i) to quantify the magnitude of N volatilization and leaching simultaneously as affected by different urea fertilization rates and ii) to evaluate the capacity of these specific plant–soil systems to act as a buffer to prevent nitrate leaching. Two experiments were conducted during 2001/02 and 2002/03 growing seasons in Alberti, Argentina. The crop was direct‐drilled maize and the soil a Typic Argiudoll. Ammonia losses, N uptake by crop at flowering and harvest, grain yield, N in previous crop residues, and soil nitrate content up to 2‐m depths were determined. Nitrogen availability, soil nitrate (NO₃)‐N up to 1 m plus fertilizer N, was linearly and highly associated with crop N uptake at flowering (R²=0.93, P<0.01) and at harvest (R²=0.852, P<0.01). Around 17.5% of fertilizer N was lost by volatilization in 10 days. The obtained values of residual nitrate N up to the 150‐cm depth were associated (R²=0.960, P<0.001) with those predicted by the nitrate leaching and economic analysis package (NLEAP) model. Maize in the direct‐drilling system was able to cycle N from the previous crop residues, N from soil organic matter, and N from fertilizers with few losses.     

The response of pearl millet to changes in nitrogen concentration or form during grain fill

Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] is a potentially productive, high‐yielding grain crop in the southeastern USA. A lack of response in pearl millet grain yield to fertilizer N in field studies indicates pearl millet may be able to remobilize N from vegetative to reproductive tissue. The N remobilization capabilities of a plant can be affected by the form of N supplemented. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of N‐form ratio (NH₄ ⁺ : NO₃ ^‐) on the N remobilization capabilities of pearl millet when N is removed from the nutrient solution at the boot stage and to evaluate the effects of changing N‐form ratios at the boot stage on the seed yield and N content of pearl millet. Pearl millet was grown in solution culture under greenhouse conditions. There were 10 treatments: an initial NH₄ ⁺ : NO₃ ^‐ ratio of 3:1 followed by a change at the boot stage to either all NO₃ ^‐, no N, or a continuation of the initial ratio; an initial NH₄ ⁺ : NO₃ ^‐ ratio of 1:1 followed by a change at the boot stage to either all NO₃ ^‐, all NH₄ ⁺ no N, or a continuation of the initial ratio; and an initial NH₄ ⁺ : NO₃ ^‐ ratio of 1:3 followed by a change at the boot stage to either all NH₄ ⁺ no N, or a continuation of the initial ratio. Pearl millet dry matter accumulation was insensitive to changes in N‐form ratio or N removal at the boot stage. The lack of seed yield response to removal of N was a result of pearl millet utilizing N present in culms and leaves for seed production. Applications of N after the boot stage did not increase seed yield, but led to luxury consumption of N.     

Differential responses of grain yield,grain protein,and their associated traits to nitrogen supply in soft red winter wheat

Increased application of nitrogen fertilizers has significantly raised grain yield and protein concentration in wheat. However, only 30–50% of applied fertilizer nitrogen are usually utilized by the plant. In this study, four soft red winter wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L., IL07‐4415, MD05W10208‐11‐8, OH06‐150‐57 and Sisson) were grown under three different nitrogen regimes (high, medium, and low) in a greenhouse, and grain yield, grain protein concentration, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and their associated traits were evaluated. Among the four genotypes, a high‐yielding cultivar, Sisson, exhibited superior performance in terms of grain weight plant⁻¹ and NUE for yield (NUEY) at low nitrogen due to maintained grain number spike⁻¹ and harvest index. Significant yield losses due to nitrogen limitation were attributable to reduced spike number plant⁻¹ and grain number spike⁻¹ in the other genotypes. Interestingly, a linear relationship between NUEY and NUE for grain protein (NUEP) was detected at high (R ² = 0.67) and low (R ² = 0.42) nitrogen; both of these traits were positively correlated with grain number spike⁻¹, 1000‐seed weight, and harvest index under nitrogen‐limited conditions (R ² = 0.35–0.48). These results suggest that simultaneous improvement of NUEY and NUEP could be achieved through the selection of the three yield components (grain number spike⁻¹, 1000‐seed weight, and harvest index) at low nitrogen.     

Grain legumes differ in nitrogen accumulation and remobilisation during seed filling

In grain legumes, the N requirements of growing seeds are generally greater than biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and soil N uptake during seed filling, so that the N previously accumulated in the vegetative tissues needs to be redistributed in order to provide N to the seeds. Chickpea, field bean, pea, and white lupin were harvested at flowering and maturity to compare the relative contribution of BNF, soil N uptake, and N remobilisation to seed N. From flowering to maturity, shoot dry weight increased in all crops by approximately 50%, root did not appreciably change, and nodule decreased by 18%. The amount of plant N increased in all crops, however in field bean (17?g?m^?2) it was about twice that in chickpea, pea, and lupin. The increase was entirely due to seeds, whose N content at maturity was 26?g?m^?2 in field bean and 16?g?m^?2 in chickpea, pea, and lupin. The seed N content at maturity was higher than total N accumulation during grain filling in all crops, and endogenous N previously accumulated in vegetative parts was remobilised to fulfil the N demand of filling seeds. Nitrogen remobilisation ranged from 7?g?m^?2 in chickpea to 9?g?m^?2 in field bean, and was crucial in providing N to the seeds of chickpea, pea, and lupin (half of seed N content) but it was less important in field bean (one-third). All the vegetative organs of the plants underwent N remobilisation: shoots contributed to the N supply of seeds from 58% to 85%, roots from 11% to 37%, and nodules less than 8%. Improving grain legume yield requires either reduced N remobilisation or enhanced N supply, thus, a useful strategy is to select cultivars with high post-anthesis N₂ fixation or add mineral N at flowering.     

黄淮南部平原喷灌冬小麦灌浆特性及水氮优化耦合研究

为了优化冬小麦水氮配置,实现养分水分资源高效利用,试验设计3个灌水水平(低灌水W1:25 mm;中灌水W2:40 mm;高灌水W3:55 mm)和5个氮肥水平(N0:0;N1:80 kg/hm^2;N2:180 kg/hm^2;N3:240 kg/hm^2;N4:300 kg/hm^2),共计15个处理,探究了喷灌条件下灌水、施氮及其互作对籽粒灌浆特性及水氮利用效率的影响,并通过建模求解最优水氮配置。结果表明:施氮对te(灌浆持续时间)和tm(最大灌浆速率出现时间)影响显著,两者均随施氮量的增加表现为先增加后降低。N3施氮水平下te和tm最大,均值分别为43.9,24.6天,比N0(不施氮)分别增加1.7,3.0天。W2N3处理的tm值最大,比最小处理W1N0延后5.0天。GFmax(最大灌浆速率)与AG(平均灌浆速率)呈极显著相关(r=0.841**),千粒重与产量(r=0.791**)、te(r=0.755**)和tm(r=0.717**)呈极显著正相关。W2N3组合产量和WUE(水分利用效率)均为最大,分别为8960 kg/hm^2和2.83 kg/m^3。水氮耦合通过优化灌浆过程可有效提高冬小麦产量。喷灌灌水定额26~35 mm、施氮量193~204 kg/hm^2(基施40%+拔节期追施60%)的水氮资源配置模式可实现节水增产双效目标。     

Comparisons among cultivars of wheat,hulless and hulled oats: Dry matter,N and P accumulation and partitioning as affected by N supply

A better understanding of the impact of fertilizer nitrogen (N) on biomass and N accumulation, and their partitioning into different plant components is needed to optimize crop yield and quality. A field experiment with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum), hulless (Avena nuda), and hulled (Avena sativa) oats was conducted for 3 years in Ottawa, ON, Canada, to determine the crop responses to N addition (0, 75, and 150 kg N ha^–1). Biomass, N, and phosphorus (P) accumulation and partitioning into different plant components were examined during the growth season. Lodging score was determined for all crops when it occurred and again at harvest. During the growth season, both hulless and hulled oats and the wheat cultivar showed almost similar patterns of N and P accumulation with maximum contents at late grain filling or at harvest. Plant N concentration was up to 60 g kg^–1 during the seedling stage, decreased gradually with advancing growth stages, and was lowest at harvest. Nitrogen treatments significantly increased plant N and P contents. At heading stage, N treatments enhanced dry matter (24%–45%), N (35%–135%), and P (27%–45%) contents in plant components (i.e., culm, leaf, and head), but also enhanced crop lodging, especially in oats. Both hulled and hulless oats had higher total plant N (5%–35%), N : P ratio, and dry‐matter content in leaf (6%–43%) and head (0%–129%) along with higher P (up to 27%) in culm than the wheat cultivar. The wheat cultivar accumulated greater dry matter and higher N content in kernels than both hulled and hulless oats at harvest. Both hulled and hulless oat cultivars exhibited similar lodging susceptibility to N addition (75 or 150 kg N ha^–1), produced lower dry weight and lower kernel N, and hence lower grain yield than the wheat cultivar. The larger vegetative dry‐matter accumulation at heading coupled with higher P content in culms under high‐N‐supply conditions may be related to severe lodging in oat cultivars.     

Corn yield variation as related to soil water fluctuation and nitrogen fertilizer. II. Soil water‐nitrogen‐yield relationships

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between soil water and nitrogen fertilizer and their effect on grain corn yield (Zea mays L.) in a zone where the limiting factor of yield and nitrogen efficiency is the water supply. The experiments were carried out for 10 years on a deep‐permeable well—drained chernozem in a temperate—continental dry climate with annual precipitation of about 500 mm.

Different nitrogen rates were applied and plant available soil water (PAW) was determined every year before and during the growing season. Multiple regressions were fitted for nitrogen rate, soil water and corn yield.

The results show that there is a significant interaction between soil water content, applied nitrogen and corn yield. The soil water explains the greatest part of yield variation, followed by the soil water‐added nitrogen interaction effect and the direct effect of added nitrogen. The PAH on July 1st gave a better correlation (R² = 0.88) than June 1st (R² = 0.85) or March 1st PAW (R² = 0.72). But the best correlation was obtained when both June and July PAW were taken together in the regression (R² = 0.914). July PAW was also more efficient in terms of yield per PAW. Thus, 1 mm of PAW on March, June and July 1st increased the control yield by 12.5, 14.6, and 18.3 kg grain/ha respectively, and by 18.0, 22.0 and 32.0 kg grain/ha for the fertilized yield (with 60 kg N/ha). At low soil moisture content, the applied N had no or even negative effect on water use efficiency and yield while at high PAW the water use efficiency was greatly increased by the applied N.     

NITROGEN,PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASSIUM NUTRIENT EFFECTS ON GRAIN FILLING AND YIELD OF HIGH-YIELDING SUMMER CORN

A three-site-year field experiment was conducted to determine nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer effects on grain filling dynamics and yield formation of high-yielding summer corn (Zea mays L.) in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-corn double crop cropping system. Application of combined NPK fertilizers resulted in the greatest grain yield, largest grain number and grain weight when compared with the treatments receiving N, NP, or NK. Grain filling rate and duration, grain volume, and grain yield increased with NPK rates; however, doubling the rate of 180 kg N ha^?1, 40 kg P ha^?1, and 75 kg K ha^?1 fertilizer only led to minimal increases in grain filling rate (0.8%), grain filling duration (1.6%), grain volume (1.3%) and grain yield (0.4%). Our results suggested that for the high-yielding summer corn, a combined NPK fertilization is required to enhance grain filling and yield, and that under well-fertilized circumstances, limited increases in both grain filling and sink capacity might be the main factor restricting further yield improvement.     

Spectral indices measured with proximal sensing using canopy reflectance sensor, chlorophyll meter and leaf color chart for in-season grain yield prediction of basmati rice

A number of optical sensing tools are now available and can potentially be used for refining need-based fertilizer nitrogen (N) topdressing decisions. Algorithms for estimating field-specific fertilizer N needs are based on predictions of yield made while the crops are still growing in the field. The present study was conducted to establish and validate yield prediction models using spectral indices measured with proximal sensing using GreenSeeker canopy reflectance sensor, soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter, and two different types of leaf color charts (LCCs) for five basmati rice genotypes across different growth stages. Regression analysis was performed using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) recorded with GreenSeeker sensor and leaf greenness indices measured with SPAD meter and LCCs developed by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana (India) (PAU-LCC) and the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines (IRRI-LCC). The exponential relationship between NDVI and grain yield exhibited the highest coefficient of determination (R²) and minimum normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) at panicle initiation stage and explained 38.3%-76.4% variation in yield using genotype-specific models. Spectral indices pooled for different genotypes were closely related to grain yield at all growth stages and explained 53.4%-57.2% variation in grain yield. Normalizing different spectral indices with cumulative growing degree days (CGDD) decreased the accuracy of yield prediction. Normalization with days after transplanting (DAT), however, did not reduce or improve the predictability of yield. The ability of each model to predict grain yield was validated with an independent dataset collected from two experiments conducted at different sites with a range of fertilizer N doses. The NDVI-based genotype-specific models exhibited a robust linear correlation (R²=0.77, NRMSE=7.37%, n=180) between observed and predicted grain yields only at 35 DAT (i.e., panicle initiation stage), while the SPAD, PAU-LCC, and IRRI-LCC consistently provided reliable predictions (with respective R² of 0.63, 0.60, and 0.53 and NRMSE of 10%, 10%, and 13.6%) even with genotype invariant models with 900 data points obtained at different growth stages. The study revealed that unnormalized values of spectral indices, namely NDVI, SPAD, PAU-LCC, and IRRI-LCC, can be satisfactorily used for in-season estimation of grain yield for basmati rice. As LCCs are very economical compared with chlorophyll meters and canopy reflectance sensors, they can be preferably used by small farmers in developing countries.     

Developing nitrogen management strategies under drip fertigation for wheat and maize production in the North China Plain based on a 3‐year field experiment

The intensive winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–summer maize (Zea mays L.) cropping systems in the North China Plain (NCP) rely on the heavy use of mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizers. As the fertigated area of wheat and maize in the NCP has grown rapidly during recent years, developing N management strategies is required for sustainable wheat and maize production. Field experiments were conducted in Hebei Province during three consecutive growth seasons in 2012–2015 to assess the influence of different N fertigation rates on N uptake, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency [NUE: recovery efficiency (RE_N) and agronomic efficiency (AE_N)]. Five levels of N application, 0 (FN₀), 40 (FN_40%), 70 (FN_70%), 100 (FN_100%), and 130% (FN_130%) of the farmer practice rate (FP: 250 kg N ha^?1 and 205.5 kg N ha^?1 for wheat and maize, respectively), corresponding to 0, 182.2, 318.9, 455.5, and 592.2 kg N ha^?1 y^?1, respectively, were tested. Nitrogen in the form of urea was dissolved in irrigation water and split into six and four applications for wheat and maize, respectively. In addition, the treatment “drip irrigation + 100% N conventional broadcasting” (DN_100%) was also conducted. All treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed the significant influence of both N fertigation rate and N application method on grain yield and NUE. Compared to DN_100%, FN_100% significantly increased the 3‐year averaged N recovery efficiency (RE_N) by 0.09 kg kg^?1 and 0.04 kg kg^?1, and the 3‐year averaged N agronomic efficiency (AE_N) by 2.43 kg kg^?1 and 1.62 kg kg^?1 for wheat and maize, respectively. Among N fertigation rates, there was no significant increase in grain yield in response to N applied at a greater rate than 70% of FP due to excess N accumulation in vegetative tissues. Compared to FN_70%, FN_100%, and FN_130%, FN_40% increased the RE_N by 0.17–0.57 kg kg^?1 and 0.03–0.34 kg kg^?1and the AE_N by 4.60–27.56 kg kg^?1 and 2.40–10.62 kg kg^?1 for wheat and maize, respectively. Based on a linear‐response relationship between the N fertigation rate and grain yield over three rotational periods it can be concluded that recommended N rates under drip fertigation with optimum split applications can be reduced to 46% (114.6 kg N ha^?1) and 58% (116.6 kg N ha^?1) of FP for wheat and maize, respectively, without negatively affecting grain yield, thereby increasing NUE.