Protein quality of corn hybrids differing for endosperm characteristics and the effect of nitrogen fertilization 1

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an important source of protein for humans and animals. Because dent corn is highly responsive to nitrogen (N) fertilization, substantial amounts of N are used for corn production. Application of N fertilizer may reduce protein quality of corn kernels through an increase in zein content. The objective of this study was to determine if corn endosperm characteristics influence the effect of N fertilization on protein quality. In 1988, six corn hybrids differing for endosperm characteristics were grown at two locations in Ohio and with two N rates, 34 and 200 kg/ha. The waxy hybrid had a greater concentration of fraction I protein than the non‐wary hybrid. These two hybrids did not differ for other fractions except fraction III at Columbus. The soft endosperm hybrid had a higher concentration of fraction I protein than the hard endosperms hybrids. Soft and hard endosperm hybrids differed for fraction II protein for the 34 kg N/ha fertilizer rate but not the 200 kg N/ha fertilizer rate. These two classes of hybrids did not differ for fraction III protein. Increasing N fertilizer increased fraction II concentration for all hybrids. Concentrations of the other two protein fractions did not respond to fertilizer rate. The increase in fraction II concentration with N fertilization may result in a decrease of protem quality and feed value. Although all hybrids responded to N fertilizer, some hybrids had bigger increases in fraction II proteins than other hybrids.     

Physical characteristics of corn kernels as influenced by nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

Physical characteristics of corn (Zea mays L.) kernels influence end‐use. Agronomic practices including nitrogen (N) fertilization may influence kernel hardness. The objective of this study was to determine if com endosperm characteristics influence the effect of N fertilization on kernel hardness and breakage susceptibility. In 1988, six corn hybrids differing for endosperm were grown at two locations in Ohio and with two N rates (34 and 200 kg/ha). Kernels of the waxy hybrid were denser less susceptible to breakage than its near‐isogeneic normal counterpart. Soft kernels weighted less and were less dense than hard kernels, but these two hybrid classifications did not differ for breakage susceptibility. Hard kernels possessed a greater resistance to grinding than soft kernels. Increasing N fertilizer rate increased resistance to grinding and reduced susceptibility to breakage of both soft and hard endosperm types. Fertilization with N not only affects corn grain yield, but also affects physical characteristics that are important to end‐users.     

氮素和水分处理对稻米植酸含量和蛋白组分的影响

以直立密穗型粳稻品种秀水110和弯曲散穗型粳稻品种春江15为材料,对不同氮素水平处理和水分管理方式下稻米植酸含量和蛋白组分的影响及其互作效应进行了研究。结果表明,旱作栽培处理会导致水稻籽粒中植酸含量上升,而施氮处理对籽粒植酸含量的影响效应与水稻的水分管理方式有关,在常规水作条件下,高氮处理（N3）的籽粒植酸含量有所提高,但在旱作栽培方式下,中氮（N2）和低氮处理（N1,不施N）的籽粒植酸含量却略高于高氮处理（N3）,氮素水平与水分管理方式间的互作效应明显; 水稻籽粒植酸含量与粗蛋白总量、4种蛋白组分（清蛋白、球蛋白、醇溶蛋白和谷蛋白）及有关产量性状指标（有效穗数、每穗粒数、千粒重和结实率）在不同水肥处理间的相关性不显著,但氮肥用量过高不仅会导致水稻的产量水平下降,而且也不利于稻米营养品质的改良; 水肥处理对水稻籽粒植酸含量、蛋白总量和4种蛋白组分穗内粒位分布也存在一定影响,着生在稻穗下部的弱势粒,其稻米植酸含量高于稻穗上部或中部的强势粒,因此改善弱势粒灌浆的水肥管理措施将有利于稻米植酸含量的降低。     

不同供氮水平对夏玉米养分累积、转运及产量的影响

通过田间小区试验,研究了高肥力土壤上施N.125、250、375.kg/hm2对夏玉米生物量、子粒产量、N、P、K养分累积动态、及氮肥表观利用率、养分转运的影响。结果表明,不同施氮量只影响夏玉米不同生育时期养分的阶段累积量,而对累积趋势基本无影响。植株生物量及N、P、K养分累积量随生育期的延长而增加,且它们的累积趋势相似,都呈S型曲线。各处理的子粒产量在7000～7700.kg/hm2之间,只有N250处理增产达显著水平;氮肥表观利用率在10%～18%之间,随施氮量的增加略有降低。施氮可提高子粒中的氮素累积量,而对磷的累积量影响不大。随着施氮量的增加,氮素的转运量、转运效率及其在子粒中的比例都降低,磷的转运与氮表现出类似的趋势。综合考虑产量、氮肥利用率、养分转运及环境污染等因素,该地区夏玉米的推荐施氮量应控制在125.kg/hm2以内。     

Nitrogen Fertilizer Increases Seed Protein and Milling Quality of Rice

Rice grain breakage during milling is a problem in many parts of Asia. It has been suggested that nitrogen (N) fertilizer can improve the milling quality of rice. Therefore, this study investigates effects of N fertilization on grain N concentration, endosperm storage protein distribution, and milling quality of rice. Four Thai extra long grain commercial rice cultivars (KDML105, KLG1, PTT1, and CNT1) were grown at Chiang Mai University in the wet season of 2001 with 0 or 120 kg of N/ha at flowering. Anatomical sections showed that there was more storage protein accumulated in the lateral regions of polished grain of high N concentration than in grain of low N concentration. Percent (%) unbroken rice was positively correlated with relative abundance of storage protein in the lateral region of the endosperm in all cultivars. Applying N increased head rice N concentration in all cultivars, whereas % unbroken rice was increased in KLG1 and CNT1. KDML105 cultivar, on the other hand, already had high % unbroken rice and more abundant storage protein in the lateral region with the grain of low N concentration. It is hypothesized that high density of storage protein in the lateral region of the endosperm provides resilience and lessens grain breakage during milling. The additional protein may increase hardness in rice grains and thus could make the rice more resistant to breakage during milling. Furthermore, N fertilization may enhance the nutritional quality of rice grain by increasing the glutelin content, which is rich in lysine.     

施氮量对杂交棉氮、磷、钾吸收利用和产量及品质的影响

在高产条件下,研究了不同施氮量对杂交棉氮、磷、钾的吸收利用和产量及品质的影响。结果表明,增施氮肥显著提高了杂交棉氮、磷、钾的积累量,特别是显著提高了杂交棉后期氮、磷、钾的积累量和积累比例。施氮量N300 kg/hm2的子棉产量最高,比施氮量N 225 kg/hm2处理增产0.9%,但差异不显著。氮、磷、钾养分利用效率随施氮量增加而提高;但氮肥利用率随施氮量的增加而下降。施氮可以显著提高纤维长度和纤维比强度,而不同施氮量处理间纤维长度和比强度差别不大。     

水氮互作对小麦土壤硝态氮运移及水、氮利用效率的影响

为给强筋小麦(Triticum aeativum L.)高产优质栽培的水、氮合理运筹提供理论依据,在高产地力条件下,选用强筋小麦品种济麦20,设置不施氮（N0）、施氮180 kg/hm2 （N1）、240 kg/hm2 （N2）3个施氮水平,每个施氮水平下设置不灌水（W0）、底墒水+拔节水+开花水（W1）、底墒水+冬水+拔节水+开花水（W2）、底墒水+冬水+拔节水+开花水+灌浆水（W3）4个灌水处理,每次灌水量均为60 mm,研究了水氮互作对麦田耗水量、土壤硝态氮运移、氮素利用效率和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,（1）增加施氮量,开花期和成熟期0—140 cm各土层的土壤硝态氮含量显著升高;增加灌水时期,土壤硝态氮向深层的运移加剧,成熟期0—80 cm各土层的土壤硝态氮含量降低,120—140 cm土层的土壤硝态氮含量升高。N1W1处理在开花期0—60 cm土层的土壤硝态氮含量较高,成熟期土壤硝态氮向100—140 cm土层运移少,有利于植株对氮素的吸收。（2）随施氮量的增加,子粒产量先升高后降低,以N1最高。N1水平下,W1处理获得了较高的子粒产量、子粒氮素积累量、氮素利用效率、氮肥农学利用率和氮肥偏生产力;在此基础上增加冬水(W2),上述指标无显著变化;再增加灌浆水(W3),上述指标显著降低。（3）施氮提高了小麦对土壤水的利用能力,随施氮量增加,土壤供水量及其占总耗水量的比例显著升高。N1水平下,W1处理获得了最高的水分利用效率;再增加灌水时期,水分利用效率显著降低,开花至成熟阶段的耗水模系数显著升高,灌水量占总耗水量的比例升高,降水量和土壤供水量占总耗水量的比例降低。本试验条件下,施氮为180 kg/hm2,灌底墒水＋拔节水＋开花水3水的N1W1处理,是兼顾高产、高效的水氮运筹模式。     

缓释肥施用时期对春播鲜食糯玉米产量和籽粒品质的影响

为探明缓释肥施用时期对鲜食糯玉米产量和籽粒品质的影响,本研究以苏玉糯11号为材料,在等量施肥条件下,以常规施肥方式(N15CK,基施复合肥+六叶期追施尿素)和不施肥为对照,研究缓释肥于播种期(SN15-0)、三叶期(SN15-3)和六叶期(SN15-6)一次性施用对鲜食糯玉米鲜果穗和鲜籽粒产量,籽粒淀粉和蛋白质含量、碘结合力、热力学特性和糊化特性的影响。结果表明,缓释肥处理的鲜果穗产量和鲜籽粒产量显著高于常规肥处理,且SN15-6和SN15-3的鲜果穗产量分别比SN15-0提高14.0%和7.4%,鲜籽粒产量提高14.6%和2.0%。SN15-6的籽粒中淀粉、可溶性糖和蛋白质含量均显著高于其他处理。缓释肥延后施用使淀粉粒径变小,SN15-6与N15CK的淀粉碘结合力和最大吸收波长显著高于其他处理。与不施肥相比,施肥提高了籽粒淀粉的糊化温度和胶凝温度(起始温度、峰值温度和终值温度),降低了回生热焓值和回生值。其中SN15-3的峰值黏度、谷值黏度、崩解值和终值黏度最高,而SN15-6的回复值、回生热焓值和回生值最低。综上,缓释肥适当延后施用有利于提高鲜食糯玉米产量,增加籽粒中蛋白质、淀粉、可溶性糖含量,降低淀粉平均粒径;另外,三叶期施用可显著提高籽粒糊化黏度,六叶期施用使籽粒回生值显著降低。本研究结果可为春播鲜食糯玉米绿色高产优质轻简栽培提供理论依据与技术支撑。     

Starter fertilizer effects on grain sorghum hybrids grown on a soil high in residual phosphorus in a no‐tillage environment

Conservation tillage crop production systems have become common in the central Great Plains because they reduce soil erosion and increase water‐use efficiency. The high residue levels associated with no‐tillage systems can cause soils to be cool and wet which can reduce nutrient uptake and growth of crops. Starter fertilizer applications have been effective in improving nutrient uptake even on soils high in available nutrient elements. Resent research indicates that corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids differ in their responses to starter fertilizer. No information is currently available concerning grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrid response to starter fertilizer. The objective of this study was to evaluate grain sorghum hybrid responses to starter fertilizer in a no‐tillage environment on a soil high in available phosphorus (P). This field experiment was conducted from 1995 to 1997 at the North Central Kansas Experiment Field, located near Belleville, on a Crete silt loam soil (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic, Pachic Arguistoll). Treatments consisted of 12 grain sorghum hybrids and two starter fertilizer treatments. Fertilizer treatments were starter fertilizer [34 kg nitrogen (N) and 34 kg P₂O₅ ha^‐1] or no starter fertilizer. Starter fertilizer was applied 5 cm to the side and 5 cm below the seed at planting. Immediately after planting, N was balanced on all plots to give a total of 168 kg N ha^‐1. In all three years of the experiment, grain yield, total P uptake (grain plus stover), grain moisture content at harvest, and days to mid‐bloom were affected by a hybrid x starter fertilizer interaction. Starter fertilizer consistently increased yields, reduced harvest grain moisture, improved total P uptake, and reduced the number of days needed from emergence to mid‐bloom of Pioneer 8505, Pioneer 8522Y, Pioneer 8310, Dekalb 40Y, Dekalb 48, Dekalb 51, Dekalb 55, and Northrup King 524, buthadno effect on Pioneer 8699, Dekalb 39Y, Northrup King 383Y, and Northrup King 735. When averaged over the three years, starter fertilizer increased grain yield of responding hybrids (hybrids in which the 3‐year average grain yield was significantly increased by the application of starter fertilizer) by 920 kg ha^‐1. In responding hybrids, starter fertilizer reduced grain moisture at harvest by 54 g kg¹ and also shortened the period from emergence to mid‐bloom by five days. Starter fertilizer increased V6 stage aboveground dry matter production and N and P uptake of all hybrids tested. Results of this work show that in high residue production systems even on soils high in available P, starter fertilizer can consistently increase yield of some hybrids, whereas other hybrids are not affected.     

Nitrogen and phosphorus requirements of different wheat plant types under dryland and irrigated conditions 1

The wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plant type in major producing areas of the U.S. is changing rapidly from tall cultivars to high‐yielding semidwarf cultivars. Objectives of experiments were to determine if nitrogen and phosphorus nutritional requirements differ between traditional tall cultivars and modern semidwarf cultivars under dryland and irrigated conditions. ‘Larned’, a tall cultivar; ‘Newton’, a semidwarf cultivar; and ‘Plainsman V, a high‐protein semidwarf cultivar, were grown with all combinations of three nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 84, and 168 kg N/ha) and two phosphorus fertilizer levels (0 and 90 kg P₂O₅/ha) at Colby, Kansas for two years. Three levels of irrigation—dryland, limited irrigation, and full irrigation—were applied. Grain yields were highest with 84 kg N/ha under dryland and with 168 kg N/ha under irrigation. Phosphorus increased grain yield under dryland conditions one year, but had no effect under irrigated conditions. Cultivar X nutrition interactions from differential yield responses to fertility levels occurred under the dryland and limited irrigation regimes one year. Grain protein content was increased by nitrogen fertilization under all regimes both years and was decreased only by phosphorus fertilization under dryland conditions one year. Cultivar X nitrogen interactions for grain protein occurred under all irrigation regimes. We concluded that nutrient requirements do not differ between tall and semi dwarf wheat culti‐vars under any irrigation regime. Raising the recommended level of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, should be considered for all cultivars, both tall and semidwarf.     

施氮量对甜玉米产量、品质和蔗糖代谢酶活性的影响

以甜玉米扬甜2号和超甜135为材料,设置纯氮N 0、75、225、375 kg/hm2 4个处理,研究不同施氮量对甜玉米产量、品质和蔗糖代谢酶活性的影响.结果表明,施氮显著提高甜玉米扬甜2号和超甜135鲜穗产量,两品种均以施N 225 kg/hm2产量最高,比不施氮分别增产65.15％、99.61％.甜玉米籽粒发育过程中可溶性糖和蔗糖的含量随吐丝时间呈单峰曲线变化,施氮明显提高籽粒可溶性糖和蔗糖含量,施氮量为N 225 kg/hm2时最高.氮肥对甜玉米质构特性有较大影响,施氮量增多,籽粒的硬度显著增加;脆性随着施氮量的增加表现出先升高后降低的趋势,其中以氮肥用量在N 225 kg/hm2最大.籽粒中蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)和蔗糖合成酶(SS)合成方向活性的变化趋势与蔗糖含量变化一致,SS分解方向活性随籽粒灌浆进程逐渐变大.合理施氮可提高甜玉米籽粒中SPS和SS合成方向活性,增加糖分,改善品质.     

Effects of nitrogen,phosphorus, and potassium nutrition on yield,rates of kernel growth and grain filling periods of two corn hybrids

Abstract

Depression of corn grain yields from nutrient stress has been studied extensively, but effects of nutrient stress on rates of corn development and yield determinants are less well understood. Nutritional effects on the number of kernels/unit area, growth rate/kernel, and duration of growth have implications concerning fertilization practices and yield potentials of crops. Two corn hybrids with equivalent silking dates but having different grain filling periods were grown in a field experiment. Fertility treatments consisted of a N series receiving 0, 112, or 336 kg of N/ha and a P‐K series receiving factorial combinations of 0, 22, or 112 kg of P/ha and 0, 56, or 224 kg of K/ha. Dates for grain initiation and maturity were determined for each plot along with tissue analyses of ear leaves, grain yields, and kernel weights. Concentrations of N and K in ear leaves generally corresponded to treatment levels of these nutrients, although Pioneer Hi‐bred 3390 appeared to be less efficient than Pioneer Hi‐bred 3334 in K uptake. Effects of nutrient stress on yield determinants depended on the determinant and nutrient under consideration. Severe N stress did not change length of grain filling periods, but decreased kernel numbers 30 to 70%. Stress for K, on the other hand, shortened grain filling periods about 13% and had only a slight effect on kernel number. Negligible P stress occurred in the experiment. The two hybrids produced equal quantities of grain/ha/day but the hybrid with a longer filling period (Pioneer 3334) filled many more kernels at a slightly slower rate and for a longer period of time to give a significantly greater grain yield compared to Pioneer 3390.     

黄土高原旱地小麦施肥对产量及水肥利用效率的影响

在长期定位试验的基础上,研究了黄土高原旱地不同施肥对小麦产量、土壤养分和水分的变化及其利用效率的影响。结果表明,单施有机肥(M)增产效果较好,产量达5265.0 kg/hm2;有机肥和化肥配施(NPM)小麦产量最高,达5898.8 kg/hm2。NPM配施小麦总吸氮量最大,比单施氮肥(N)增加了131.4 kg/hm2;NPM配施的氮肥利用率、氮肥偏生产力、氮肥农学效率、氮肥生理利用率分别为67.0%、49.16 kg/kg、36.97 kg/kg、73.11kg/kg;在不同施肥体系中其变化趋势基本一致,均为:NNPNMNPM,处理间差异显著。土壤养分含量变化看出,单施氮肥土壤全氮、碱解氮与不施肥(CK)的差异不显著;有机肥可显著提高土壤速效钾的含量;NPM配施土壤耗水量最大为558.3 mm,水分利用率最高为31.5 kg/(hm2.mm),随着耗水量增加的同时,土壤出现干燥化趋势。     

Critical nutrient concentrations and DRIS analysis of leaf and grain from high‐yielding corn

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to optimize fertilizer inputs for maximizing the yield of irrigated com (Zea mays L.). This report is a summary of the nutrient composition of leaf and grain samples from the highest yielding treatment in the experiment. The experiment had 15 treatments replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. The N rate treatments were 45,100, 200, 300, and 400 kg N/ha with and without 50 kg P/ha, 67 kg K/ha, and 22 kg S/ha. The plant populations were 74,000 plants/ha (30,000 plants/A) and 100,000 plants/ha. The highest corn yield was 15.6 Mg/ha (250 bu/A with 15.5% moisture) which was produced with 300 kg N/ha combined with complete N, P, K, and S fertilization. It is assumed that samples of corn leaf and grain from a plot yielding that high would have nutrient concentrations in the sufficiency range. Many of the nutrient concentrations from these arbitrarily designated sufficiency ranges are close to the critical ranges and concentrations reported in the literature. It can be concluded that established critical concentrations and ranges could be useful for diagnosing high‐yielding corn. Furthermore, the negative DRIS indices for N, P, K, S, and Cu indicate that these nutrients are most likely to be limiting based on the published norms.     

冬水田杂交中稻品种适应氮肥后移的筛选指标

【目的】水稻采用前氮后移的施肥方式有利于提高氮肥利用效率并获得高产,但不同杂交组合是否适应尚无研究报道。为此,本文以20个杂交中稻组合为材料,研究了施氮方式与杂交组合间的产量及库源结构的互作效应。【方法】在冬水田高产栽培条件下,试验设前氮后移(底肥:促花肥:保花肥=6:2:2)与重底早追(底:蘖=7:3)两种施氮方式,采用裂区设计,以施氮方式为主处理,杂交组合为副处理进行田间试验。对两种施氮方式的产量差值与各施氮方式下产量性状间进行了相关、 回归与通径分析。【结果】20个杂交组合分别在两种施氮方式下的产量相关性状均达极显著,方差分析F值8.89~149.08(P＜0.01)。两种施氮方式下,20个杂交组合的产量性状及粒叶比的成对数据平均值的差异显著性分析表明,前氮后移处理的有效穗数比重底早追显著降低,但其结实率和千粒重分别显著或极显著提高,最高苗数、 穗粒数和粒叶比在两种施氮方式间差异不显著。不同杂交组合在两种施氮方式间的产量表现不尽相同。20个杂交组合前氮后移平均产量8981.90 kg/hm2,比重底早追增产1.62%;前氮后移处理中,内5优306、 蓉18优447、 内5优317和川谷优7329四个组合不仅产量较高,而且均分别比重底早追法极显著增产。前氮后移比重底早追的增产效果与两种施氮方式下杂交组合的穗粒数呈极显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.7870和-0.7986(P＜0.01)。其原因在于,穗粒数较少的组合,其分蘖力较强,在前氮后移情况下,仍能确保较多的有效穗数,而且穗粒数和结实率因施用穗肥有一定提高,最终表现为前氮后移比重底早追法显著或极显著增产;而穗粒数过大的组合,其分蘖力较弱,在前氮后移前期施氮量较少情况下,因最高苗数明显不够,有效穗数显著下降,加之穗粒数有所降低而减产。【结论】前氮后移增产量(y)与杂交组合穗粒数(x)的关系可表述为 y =2607.9-11.02x (R2=0.6308)。大面积生产中,穗粒数237粒可作为采用前氮后移施肥法的杂交组合品种的选择指标。     

Corn response to two fertilization rates under Sw Spain conditions

Abstract

Corn cv. PRISMA response (growth, plant composition, and yield) was studied in relation to two fertilizer treatments: the high rate used in irrigated fields in SW Spain (1000 kg/ha 15–15–15 fertilizer plus two applications of 400 kg urea (46%N)/ha); and the same reduced to one‐third. Plant height (～ 290 cm), specific leaf area (0.018 m²/g), ear weight (～210 g), kernel weight per ear (～185 g), and estimated yield (～16 Mg/ha) were similar with both treatments. Plant nutrient contents were similar in the leaf level, with both treatments, although the N content of stalk and kernel (at harvest) were higher (P<0.05) when the high fertilization dose was applied. DRIS indices presented N and S as the more balanced nutrients, and in general the P and Mg contents were comparatively low, and Ca and K comparatively high. Amounts of N and P removed by corn (above‐ground part) were higher than those fertilized at the lower rate. Removed K was considerably higher than the loaded amount, whichever rate of fertilization was considered. When fertilized with a comparatively low rate (for irrigated regimes in SW Spain), the natural reserves of the previously fertilized sandy loam soil used in the assay contributed to achieve a high yield with a high‐yielding corn crop.     

Corn yield and shifts among corn quality constituents following application of different nitrogen fertilizer sources at several times during corn development

Corn plants grown under higher nitrogen (N) fertility have a higher grain protein concentration. However, it is not known whether the increased protein concentration is due to decreases in the concentration of non‐structural carbohydrate (energy content approximately equal to protein), lipid (energy content approximately 2.5 times that of protein), or other components (largely structural carbohydrate). An increase in protein concentration that results in a decrease in lipid concentration will decrease the energy content per unit dry weight of grain corn. A 3‐year field experiment was conducted at four locations in Eastern Canada to evaluate the effects of N fertilizer source, application rate, and application time on the yield and quality of corn (Zea mays L.). Ammonium nitrate, urea, and calcium ammonium nitrate were applied at rates of 90 and 180 kg N/ha. The N fertilizer was applied as a) a single application: entirely pre‐plant incorporated (PPI), b) in two applications: 1/2 PPI and 1/2 when corn plants were 15 cm tall, and c) in three applications: 1/3 PPI, 1/3 when plants were 15 cm tall, and 1/3 when plants were 90 cm tall. Corn grain protein concentration increased with N application in all the location‐years; the average increase was 8.40%, with the application of N fertilizers as compared to the control. The protein content (nig) per kernel increased with N application in half the cases. Both corn grain protein concentration and content were not different among the three N application timings in most location‐years. The lipid concentration of the grain was not affected by any N treatment indicating that the increase in protein concentration did not decrease in energy concentration. However, the concentration of remaining grain components (largely fibre and cellulose) decreased as the protein concentration increased, so that high N fertility may have increased both protein and energy concentrations of the grain. Grain yield increased with increasing N fertilizer application rate, and it was generally not significantly affected by the number of the N application times. Neither corn yield nor corn quality were affected by the different N sources.     

Soil water content,absorption of nutrient elements,and responses to fertilization of sunflower: A case study

Sunflower is considered to be a drought tolerant crop due to its root system. In Argentina, water availability and mineral nutrition are the main factors determining yield. We evaluated the behavior of a sunflower hybrid subjected to fertilization in a period of drought. A trial with the hybrid Paraiso 5 was carried out on a Typic Hapludoll located in western Buenos Aires province. The six treatments were: control; 150 kg or 300 kg available nitrogen (N) ha^‐1 (Native N supplemented with fertilizer); 150 kg or 300 kg available N ha^‐1 (Native N supplemented with fertilizer) plus other macro‐ and micronutrients, and macro‐ and micronutrients without N. Leaf area, plant biomass, root biomass, and yield components were determined. Plant tops and grain were analyzed for N, phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). Soil water content to a 1.2 m depth was measured periodically. At sowing, soil moisture was adequate, but during the first two months, the soil water content dropped to near the wilting point. Roots were largely located in the first 10 cm and dropped abruptly at deeper depths. The highest grain yield resulted from the highest N rates, but there were no effects from other nutrient elements. The oil content was not affected by these treatments. The chemical composition of the straw showed significant differences in N, P, S, and Mn concentration. In grain, only N increased as a response to N fertilization. This hybrid absorbed most nutrient elements during the first half of the life cycle and this corresponded to a time of drought conditions. Apparently roots are able to absorb water from the deep soil depths and still absorb nutrient elements from top soil. These traits might be crop strategies to respond to fertilization under drought.     

氮锌互作对水稻产量及籽粒氮、锌含量的影响

为探明氮锌互作对水稻产量及氮、锌含量的影响,以镇稻11号为供试材料,在大田条件下研究了2个氮肥用量（N 200、300 kg/hm2）下6个施锌水平（ZnSO47H2O 0、10、25、50、100、150 kg/hm2） 对水稻产量及成熟期植株氮、锌浓度及累积量的影响。试验结果表明: 在本试验条件下,锌肥的施用对水稻产量的增加不显著,但施锌能显著提高水稻各部位的锌浓度和籽粒锌累积量,并能提高水稻籽粒的氮浓度和粗蛋白含量,且表现出随施锌量的增加籽粒的氮浓度和粗蛋白含量增加的趋势; 高施氮量有利于水稻的增产及对锌的吸收与累积。因此,氮锌配施具有增加籽粒锌富集和提高蛋白质含量的双重效益。     

Corn Hybrid Response to Starter Fertilizer Combinations

ABSTRACT

Research has shown that some corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids grown under reduced tillage conditions respond to starter fertilizer containing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), while others do not. This research studied variability of responsiveness among corn hybrids to starter fertilizer containing a more complete complement of nutrients. The experiment was conducted from 1996 to 1998 on a producer's field near Scandia, KS, on a Carr sandy-loam soil (coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive calcareous, mesic Typic Udifluvents). The response of four corn hybrids (Pioneer 3563, Pioneer 3346, DeKalb 591, and DeKalb 646) to starter fertilizer combinations containing N, P, potassium (K), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) was evaluated. In all three years of the experiment, starter fertilizer containing N and P consistently increased grain yield, reduced the number of thermal units needed from emergence to maturity, decreased grain-moisture content at harvest, and increased total P uptake (grain plus stover at maturity) of Pioneer 3346 and DeKalb 591, but had no effect on Pioneer 3563 and DeKalb 646. Addition of S to the starter mix produced additional yield increases for Pioneer 3346 and DeKalb 591, whereas addition of K and Zn to the starter did not show any additional yield benefit for these two hybrids. Grain yield of Pioneer 3563 and DeKalb 646 was not improved by starter fertilizer, regardless of the elemental composition. When no starter fertilizer was applied, early-season root development was greater in Pioneer 3563 and DeKalb 646 than in the other two hybrids. However, the addition of starter fertilizer increased numbers of roots and depth of rooting in Pioneer 3346 and DeKalb 591 but had no effect on Pioneer 3563 and DeKalb 636. Results showed starter fertilizer benefited grain yield for two hybrids. Grain yield of the other two hybrids, however, was not influenced by starter, regardless of which nutrients were supplied. This response may be attributed to differences in root-growth characteristics of the hybrids. The two responsive hybrids did, however, yield an average of 0.75 mg ha^?1 greater than the two non-responsive hybrids. This result indicates it is unlikely that all of the yield loss from not using a starter can be avoided by hybrid selection.