氮肥减量后移对土壤氮素供应和夏玉米氮素吸收利用的影响

采用田间试验研究了氮肥减量后移对土壤氮素供应和夏玉米氮素吸收利用的影响。结果表明,与农民习惯施肥（N 240 kg/hm2,基肥和大喇叭口追肥为1∶2）相比,氮肥减量后移（N 168 kg/hm2,基肥、大喇叭口肥和吐丝肥为1∶3∶1）处理的产量、植株干物质积累量、植株氮积累量和积累速率均没有降低,而氮肥利用率显著增加。氮肥减量后移可使耕层无机氮供应较好地与作物吸收同步,降低收获期0—100 cm土层硝态氮积累,减少氮素的田间表观损失。基于夏玉米不同生育阶段的氮素吸收特征进行氮肥减量后移可节省氮肥30%,是较为理想的氮素施用方式。     

氮肥类型与施用量对华北平原夏玉米源库关系的影响

以郑单958和农大108为材料,研究了3种类型氮肥(普通尿素、包膜尿素和复合肥)不同施用量(N.0、90和180.kg/hm²)对华北平原夏玉米产量形成的源库关系的影响。主要结果如下:1)施氮使夏玉米极显著增产,增产效应以复合肥最好。两品种穗粒数随施氮量增加而增加,农大108增幅较大,千粒重因品种与氮肥类型不同表现有异;2)两品种LAI、灌浆期叶片叶绿素含量、干物质积累量均随施氮量增大而增大,复合肥与包膜尿素处理增幅较普通尿素处理大;3)茎鞘物质输出率随施氮量增大而显著降低。施氮使郑单958粒叶比显著降低,以复合肥处理降幅最大,而农大108表现不明显;4)一般情况下,LAI、灌浆期叶绿素含量与产量、穗粒数呈显著正相关,茎鞘物质输出率与产量及其构成因素呈负相关。郑单958粒叶比与产量呈显著负相关,农大108两者间关系不大。本试验条件下,与普通尿素相比,复合肥与包膜尿素更有利于源生产能力及库容的增大;在源库关系上,郑单958属增源增产型,而农大108属源库互作型。     

施用腐植酸对夏玉米产量、氮素吸收及氮肥利用率的影响

为了探究腐植酸与无机肥料配施对夏玉米产量、氮素吸收及氮肥利用率的影响,于2014年始在河南省南阳市卧龙区英庄镇开展田间定位试验,共设置单施磷钾肥、常规施肥、常规施肥+3 000kg·hm~(-2)腐植酸、常规施肥减氮15%+3 000 kg·hm~(-2)腐植酸、常规施肥减氮30%+3 000 kg·hm~(-2)腐植酸等5个处理,分析不同氮肥运筹下夏玉米产量和氮肥利用的特征。结果表明,施用腐植酸可以有效改善夏玉米的农艺性状,提高夏玉米的产量,促进植株对氮素的累积和提高氮肥的利用率。其中,以常规施肥减氮15%+腐植酸处理效果最佳,与常规施肥相比,产量增加8.68%~12.96%,籽粒氮含量、籽粒氮累积量、地上部总氮累积量分别增加2.83%~3.92%、11.75%~19.74%、8.83%~19.41%,氮肥利用率增加52.00%~116.55%。因此,常规施肥减氮15%+3 000 kg·hm~(-2)腐植酸是本研究区域最佳的施肥模式,对实现现代农业生产的高产高效、资源节约和生态环境保护具有重要意义,是值得推荐的肥料运筹方式。     

不同氮肥缓释化处理对夏玉米田间氨挥发和氮素利用的影响

【目的】氨挥发是农田氮素损失的重要途径之一,氮肥类型或尿素氮肥缓释处理方式直接或间接影响作物吸收及土壤理化性质,进而影响氨挥发和氮素利用效率。通过不同缓释处理技术减低氨挥发和氮素降解释放速率来提高作物氮素吸收,对于提高作物氮素利用率具有重要意义。【方法】通过两年田间原位监测试验,以不施氮肥为对照（CK）,设硝酸钙（CN）、常规尿素（CU）、树脂包膜尿素（CRF）、控失尿素（LCU）、凝胶尿素（CLP）、脲甲醛（UF）7个处理,研究不同氮肥缓释化处理对夏玉米土壤氨挥发损失量、玉米产量和氮素利用的影响。【结果】1）氨挥发主要集中于施肥后一周以内,常规尿素氨挥发累积量占整个生育期氨挥发累计总量平均为81.6%,凝胶尿素、控失尿素、树脂包膜尿素、脲甲醛氨挥发累积量占整个生育期氨挥发累计总量的比例介于62.2%~82.2%之间。2）2014年夏玉米田间氨挥发监测期内,常规尿素的氨挥发累计总量为N 14.9 kg/hm2,凝胶尿素、控失尿素、树脂包膜尿素、脲甲醛处理与常规尿素相比下降幅度介于21.7%~64.6%。2015年,常规尿素的氨挥发累计总量为N 17.3 kg/hm2,凝胶尿素、控失尿素、树脂包膜尿素、脲甲醛处理与常规尿素相比下降幅度介于17.3%~57.2%。3）化肥氮在常规尿素、树脂包膜尿素以及控失尿素处理中的贡献率较高,两年均达60%以上,其中常规尿素中化肥氮的贡献率平均高达76.0%。而化肥氮在脲甲醛中的贡献率较低,平均仅为37.6%。4）与常规尿素相比,脲甲醛、凝胶尿素、控失尿素以及树脂包膜尿素的产量也有显著增加,两年平均产量增幅为6.3%~18.8%。5）不同氮肥的夏玉米氮肥利用率也有显著差异,其中脲甲醛为最高,平均高达57.9%,其次为凝胶尿素、控失尿素、树脂包膜尿素、硝酸钙和常规尿素,分别为42.4%、38.3%、38.3%、23.5%和20.8%。【结论】氮肥中的氨挥发主要集中于施肥后一周以内。与常规尿素相比,脲甲醛、控失尿素、树脂包膜尿素、凝胶尿素均能明显减少氨挥发损失、提高产量和氮肥利用率,以脲甲醛和凝胶尿素效果更显著,是高产、高效、低损失的肥料类型。     

施氮时期对超高产夏玉米产量及氮素吸收利用的影响

选用登海661（DH661）和郑单958（ZD958）为试材,研究了超高产条件下施氮时期对夏玉米子粒产量、氮素利用率以及转运特性的影响。结果表明,拔节期一次性施氮较不施氮增产不显著;随着施氮次数的增加产量显著提高,灌浆期施氮可以显著提高粒重,从而提高产量。拔节期、大口期、花后10d按2:4:4施氮,DH661产量可达14188.9 kg/hm2;基肥、拔节期、大口期、花后10d按1:2:5:2施氮,ZD958产量可达14529.6 kg/hm2。生长期内分次施氮及灌浆期施氮可显著提高植株和子粒中氮素积累,延长氮素积累活跃期;同时可以显著提高氮素收获指数、氮肥农学利用率、氮素表观回收率和氮肥偏生产力。DH661和ZD958在2:4:4和3:5:2施肥方式下开花前和开花后氮素吸收比例分别为51:49和60:40。开花前分次施氮可显著提高氮素转运量和转运效率,灌浆期施氮可显著提高花后子粒氮素同化。DH661和ZD958在2:4:4和3:5:2施肥方式下花后氮素同化量分别占子粒吸氮量63.0%和50.5%。本试验条件下,DH661采用拔节期、大口期、花后10d按2:4:4施入,ZD958基肥、拔节期、大口期、花后10d按1:2:5:2施入或拔节期、大口期、花后10d按3:5:2施入可提高氮素利用率,实现高产高效。     

施氮量对超高产夏玉米产量及氮素吸收利用的影响

选用登海661（DH661）和郑单958（ZD958）为试验材料,研究了超高产条件下施氮量对夏玉米产量、氮素利用及其转运规律的影响。结果表明,随着施氮量的增加,子粒产量、植株氮素总积累量和氮肥利用率呈先增加后降低。施氮量为N 240～360 kg/hm2,DH661和ZD958产量分别达12172～15080 和12011～15360 kg/hm2;而氮素利用率和氮肥农学利用率,DH661分别为10.6～23.1%和11.5～13.6%,ZD958分别为24.1～28.6%和9.5～11.4%;植株氮素总积累量和氮肥利用率均达到最大。施N 240～360 kg/hm2,提高了营养器官中氮素转运量和花后氮素同化量,可以有效调控开花前氮素转运及花后直接同化,促进子粒氮素积累,提高产量。在本试验条件下,施 N 240～360 kg/hm2可提高氮肥利用率,实现玉米高产。     

基于夏玉米光谱特征的叶绿素和氮素水平及氮肥吸收利用研究

本文首先分析不同施 N 水平条件下夏玉米冠层在6个典型生育期的光谱特征曲线,然后计算了可见光和近红外波段光谱反射率组成的归一化植被指数(NDvI)及相应时期叶片叶绿素含量和地上部分全N含量2个重要指标以及孕穗期冠层NDVI和几个N肥吸收利用效率的相关性.结果表明,孕穗期冠层光谱反射率在近红外区域反射率最大,且其可见光和近红外区域反射率差异最大:从苗期到孕穗期,NDVI和叶绿素、全N含量的相关性逐渐增强,到抽雄期减弱,灌浆期又有所增强;整体来讲绿色归一化植被指数 GNDNI(560,760)在各生育期与不同农学参量的相关性比其他波段组合的指数好,其次为NDVI(660,760)波段组合.随着施N量的增加,N肥利用效率、收获指数和N肥收获指数、N素农艺效率以及N肥回收效率均逐渐降低,对各N肥吸收利用指数的预测以NDVI(660,760)、NDVI(660,1100)和GNDVI(560,760)较理想.     

不同施肥对春玉米产量、效益及氮素吸收和利用的影响

通过田间试验研究了农民习惯施肥、氮肥减量及减量后移、氮肥一次性深施对春玉米产量、效益、花后干物质和氮素积累与转移情况及氮的吸收和利用的影响。结果表明,与习惯施肥处理（N用量 280 kg/hm2,口肥和拔节期追肥比例为1:4,N280/2,）相比,氮肥减量后移处理（N 用量240 kg/hm2,口肥、拔节期和大喇叭口期追肥比例为1:2:2,N240/3）增产3.91%,增收592 元/hm2;氮肥一次性深施处理（N 用量240 kg/hm2,播种时一次深施在15cm处,N240/1）增产11.48%,增收2032元/hm2;氮肥减量后移处理（N240/3）和氮肥一次性深施处理（N240/1）的经济系数、后期干物质和氮的转移量、转移效率及对子粒的贡献率显著提高,氮肥利用率（NUE）、氮肥农学利用率（ANUE）、氮素吸收效率（NUPE）和氮肥偏生产力（PFP）、氮收获指数（NHI）也显著提高。氮肥减量后移处理（N240/3）花后干物质和氮的积累量及占总量的比例最高;氮肥一次性深施处理（N240/1）花后干物质和氮积累量较高,但所占比例较低;习惯施肥处理（N 280/2）干物质和氮积累量较低,但所占比例较高。由于关于一次性施肥存在较多争议,因此尚不能认为氮肥一次性深施方式可以替代农民习惯施肥;而氮肥减量后移处理既获得了较高的产量,也提高了氮效率,是一种科学的施肥方式。     

不同类型氮肥与施氮量下夏玉米水、氮利用及土壤氮素表观盈亏

以两个夏播玉米品种为材料，研究了不同类型氮肥与不同施氮量下华北平原夏玉米的水分与氮素利用及土壤氮素表观盈亏．结果表明：（1）随施氮量增大．产量、耗水量及水分生产效率（WPE）增大，氮肥利用率（NUE）降低；（2）夏玉米WPE与NUE具有较明显的基因型差异。WPE郑单958较大。NUE农大108较大；（3）wPE与NUE均受到氮肥类型的影响．WPE郑单958复合肥〉普通尿素〉包膜尿素．农大108处理间差异较小，以复合肥略大，普通尿素和包膜尿素相当。与普通尿素相比，包膜尿素与复合肥利用率较高，郑单958施N90kg／hm^2与农大108施N180kg／hm^2时，两者对NUE的提高尤为明显；（4）本试验条件下，经过夏玉米生长季，两品种各处理均出现土壤氮素表观亏缺，亏缺量随施氮量增大而降低，各条件下郑单958亏缺量较农大108大；氮肥类型间土壤氮素表观亏缺量表现为复合肥〉包膜尿素〉普通尿素。     

氮肥减量后移对玉米产量和氮素吸收利用及农田氮素平衡的影响

田间试验研究了不同土壤氮素供应水平和底追比例对玉米籽粒产量、土壤硝态氮和农田氮素平衡的影响.与农民习惯施肥(N 240 kg·hm-2,基肥和大喇叭口追肥为1∶2)相比,氮肥减量10％(N 216 kg· hm-2)和20％ (N 192kg·hm-2)处理的玉米产量并没有降低,而氮肥利用效率显著增加.氮肥减量后移可使耕层无机氮供应较好地与作物吸收同步,降低收获期0～100 cm土层的硝态氮积累,减少氮素的田间表观损失,提高氮肥利用效率.在本试验条件下,氮肥减量20％(N 192 kg·hm-2),基追比例1∶3∶1处理的植株产量、地上部植株氮肥吸收利用率、氮肥农学利用率均较高,0～100 cm土层未出现硝态氮明显累积,氮素表观损失量最少,是最佳施氮运筹模式.     

Tillage and dicyandiamide influence on nitrogen fertilizer immobilization,remineralization, and utilization by maize (Zea mays L.)

Summary Both tillage and nitrification inhibitors such as dicyandiamide (DCD) have the potential to influence N availability and thus plant N uptake. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of DCD and tillage (rototillage and no-tillage) on N immobilization and the subsequent impact of residual and fertilizer N on N availability to maize (Zea mays L.) ¹⁵N-labeled urea and urea-DCD were surface applied at the rate of 16 g N m^-2, in either 1987 or 1988, to small plots which had been planted to maize (Zea mays L.). Soil samples were collected four times during the 1988 growing season and analyzed for the ¹⁵N and ¹⁴N components of inorganic N, organic N, and hydrolyzable (6 M HCl) amino acid N, hydrolyzable NH _inf4 ^sup+ -N, and non-hydrolyzable N. Plant samples were collected three times during the 1988 growing season, and analyzed for the ¹⁵N and ¹⁴N components of total N. The total amount of NO _inf3 ^sup- percolating through the profile was less than 15 kg N ha^-1 in 1987 and 1988. N uptake by maize was reduced under notillage and when the urea was treated with DCD. The tillage treatments had no effect on the uptake of N fertilizer applied in 1988 or on N immobilization. However, no-till-age reduced the uptake of residual N fertilizer. The reduced use of N fertilizer was attributed to a reduction in the actual mineralization rates of immobilized residual N. DCD reduced the uptake of N fertilizer applied in 1988. The reduced uptake was attributed to increased N immobilization or to organic matter fixation.     

不同耕作方式下缓释肥对夏玉米产量及氮素利用效率的影响

【目的】氮肥中氮素的合理释放是提高作物产量及氮素利用效率的重要措施之一,耕作方式也可显著影响氮肥施用效果。本文比较了浅旋、 免耕和深松三种耕作方式下缓释肥和常规施肥对夏玉米干物质积累、 叶面积指数及植株氮素积累的影响,为玉米缓/控释肥的合理应用和耕作方式的选择提供科学依据和技术支撑。【方法】试验于2013年至2014年在河南新乡进行。采用裂区设计,以耕作方式为主区,设浅旋(R)、 免耕(N)和条带深松(S)3种耕作方式; 肥料类型为副区,设不施氮(CK)、 缓释肥(SRF)和常规施肥(CCF)3个处理。【结果】相同耕作方式下,缓释肥处理的夏玉米产量及氮肥利用效率显著高于常规施肥; 相同肥料处理,其条带深松耕作的夏玉米产量及氮肥利用效率显著高于浅旋和免耕直播处理。各处理中,以条带深松下的缓释肥处理产量及氮肥利用效率最高,显著高于其他处理,其中两年产量平均增幅为13.4%~59.2%,氮肥农学利用效率(AEN)增幅为27.9%~72.7%,氮素表观利用率(REN)增长15.1~55.7个百分点。分析表明,干物质积累和氮素积累,尤其是花后干物质和氮素积累的增加是产量提高的主要原因。 在N、 R和S 三种耕作方式下,缓释肥处理的花后干物质积累量较常规施肥分别提高13.0%、 12.7%和18.7%; 花后氮素积累量分别提高14.4%、 16.8%和17.8%,其中条带深松耕作的增幅显著高于浅旋和免耕直播。条带深松下缓释肥处理花后干物质和氮素积累量显著高于其他处理。【结论】与传统耕作方式和施肥方式相比,条带深松耕作和缓释肥的施用均显著提高了夏玉米的产量及氮素利用效率,各处理中以条带深松耕作下缓释肥处理的夏玉米产量及氮素效率最高,因此,条带深松深施缓释肥可作为黄淮海区一项有效的合理耕作与施肥措施。     

Effect of land use types on decomposition of 14C-labelled maize residue (Zea mays L.)

The effect of three land use types on decomposition of ¹⁴C-labelled maize (Zea mays L.) residues and soil organic matter were investigated under laboratory conditions. Samples of three Dystric Cambisols under plow tillage (PT), reduced tillage (RT) and grassland (GL) collected from the upper 5 cm of the soil profile were incubated for 159 days at 20 °C with or without ¹⁴C-labelled maize residue. After 7 days cumulative CO₂ production was highest in GL and lowest in PT, reflecting differences in soil organic C (SOC) concentration among the three land use types and indicating that mineralized C is a sensitive indicator of the effects of land use regime on SOC. ¹⁴CO₂ efflux from maize residue decomposition was higher in GL than in PT, possibly due to higher SOC and microbial biomass C (MBC) in GL than in PT. ¹⁴CO₂ efflux dynamics from RT soil were different from those of PT and GL. RT had the lowest ¹⁴CO₂ efflux from days 2 to 14 and the highest from days 28 to 159. The lowest MBC in RT explained the delayed decomposition of residues at the beginning. A double exponential model gave a good fit to the mineralization of SOC and residue-¹⁴C (R² > 0.99) and allowed estimation of decomposition rates as dependent on land use. Land use affected the decomposition of labile fractions of SOC and of maize residue, but had no effect on the decomposition of recalcitrant fractions. We conclude that land use affected the decomposition dynamics within the first 1.5 months mainly because of differences in soil microbial biomass but had low effect on cumulative decomposition of maize residues within 5 months.     

不同形态氮肥对苗期玉米镉富集的影响

为了探究不同形态氮肥对苗期玉米生长及富集镉(Cd)的影响,采用室内水培试验,在重金属Cd处理下,分别施加4和8 mmol/L N含量的硝态(NO3-)、铵态(NH4+)、酰胺态(尿素)氮肥培养12 d后,比较不同施氮处理下玉米的生长状况和吸收富集Cd的差异.研究结果表明:与不添加重金属Cd的全营养液培养处理相比,添加重...     

Biochar and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer effects on maize (Zea mays L.) nitrogen use and yield in moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major nitrogen consuming crop, as nitrogen is considered as an important determinant of its grain yield. Though inorganic fertilizer is widely recommended, the problem of high cost and inaccessibility limit its usage by resource poor farmers. Biochar application provides a new technology for both soil fertility and crop productivity improvement. With limited research on the suitability of biochar for soil improvement practices in Ghana, our objective was to determine the synergistic effect of biochar and inorganic fertilizer on the nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency, and yield of maize. Field experiment was conducted in Ghana, KNUST, in the major and minor raining seasons. Biochar was applied at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha^?1 and fertilizer N applied at 0, 45, and 90?kg ha^?1. The results showed significantly (p??1 supplemented with 45?kg N ha^?1 increased N uptake by 200%, and grain yield by 213% and 160% relative to the control in the minor and major rainy seasons, respectively. The greater yield of maize recorded on biochar-amended soils was attributed to the improved N uptake and nitrogen use efficiency. In conclusion, our finding suggests that the application of combined biochar and inorganic N fertilizer is not only ecologically prudent, but economically viable and a practicable alternative to current farmers’ practice of cultivating maize in Ghana.     

供氮水平对雄性不育玉米物质生产和氮代谢的影响

在池栽条件下,比较了不同供氮水平下玉米细胞质雄性不育系（CMS）及其同型可育系碳氮代谢的差异。结果表明,两种供氮水平下,CMS玉米子粒产量和收获指数均高于其同型可育系（P0.05）,生物产量差异不显著（P0.05）,根量较多,根/冠比高于其可育系（P0.05）。CMS玉米保绿性好,净同化率高,果穗叶光合速率生育后期优势明显。果穗叶硝酸还原酶（NRase）、谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）和谷氨酸脱氢酶（GDH）活性均具有较高活性,两种供氮水平下都表现出相对优势;其叶片、茎秆和根中氮百分含量和氮积累量都表现出花后0—20 d较高,生育后期较低的特点。CMS玉米的氮素转运多,贡献率和氮利用效率高,且不施氮水平下优势更为明显。说明雄性不育植株光合碳生产和果穗叶氮代谢能力强,促进了植株对氮素的转运和利用,有利于子粒灌浆充实和产量提高。     

施氮水平对超高产夏玉米籽粒及植株形态学特征的影响

氮肥是夏玉米高产的先决条件,为明确不同施氮水平对超高产夏玉米（13500 kg/hm2）籽粒及植株形态学特征的影响,以苏玉30、 苏玉20、 苏玉29三个玉米品种为材料,连续4年、 在6 个施氮水平（0、 360、 405、 450、 495、 540 kg/hm2）上,对成熟期玉米籽粒及植株的形态学特征进行了统计分析。结果表明,密植条件（82500 plant/hm2）下,产量与施氮水平呈抛物线关系, 三个品种均在 450 kg/hm2 施氮水平下产量最高,分别为13798、 14531、 16787 kg/hm2。适宜的施氮水平（450 kg/hm2）可显著增加穗粒重、 粒长、 粒宽及棒三叶叶夹角角度,增大茎秆第一、 二、 三节间长度及茎粗,缩短果穗位三节间（第七、 八、 九节间）的长度。氮肥水平对籽粒厚度影响不显著。产量和茎粗与第一、 二、 三节间长度分别表现为极显著、 显著正相关关系,与第七节间长度分别表现为显著、 极显著负相关关系,而二者与其他节间长度关系不显著。因此, 育种上可选育粒长和粒宽较大的品种作为玉米超高产育种的方向; 生产上可在第一、 二、 三、 七节间伸长的关键时期, 通过氮肥运筹调节其节间长度,达到扩库、 强源、 畅流的目的,最终建立玉米的超高产群体。     

不同种植密度下丛枝菌根真菌对玉米磷吸收的影响

【目的】利用土著丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AM真菌)与作物形成互惠互利的共生关系提高作物对土壤磷的利用效率是解决农业生产中磷供需矛盾的主要途径之一,本研究在大田玉米不同种植密度条件下,研究AM真菌对玉米根系的侵染及磷吸收作用,为揭示集约化玉米高效获取磷的机理提供理论依据。【方法】以大田作物玉米的两种种植密度(5104 plants/hm2和9104 plants/hm2)体系为研究对象,在田间原位埋设PVC管装置,通过测定菌丝生长室中的菌丝密度和有效磷耗竭来确定不同种植密度体系条件下AM真菌对玉米磷吸收的作用。【结果】相对于低密度种植群体,高密度群体显著降低了玉米拔节期土壤有效磷的耗竭量,同时增加了玉米地上部的磷含量,即磷吸收效率,增幅达20%; 在玉米拔节期,增加种植密度使根际的根外菌丝生物量(菌丝密度)降低了4%,而非根际土壤中的根外菌丝生物量(菌丝密度)增加了37%; 高密度玉米种植密度群体中AM真菌的根外菌丝对土壤有效磷耗竭的贡献增加了22%。【结论】集约化玉米生产中土著AM真菌依然帮助植株从土壤中吸收有效磷; 高密度体系下玉米对磷的吸收更加依赖于AM真菌。高密度种植增加AM真菌对玉米的侵染、 根外菌丝量和对土壤有效磷的吸收。     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer source on corn (Zea mays L.) optical sensor response index values in a rain-fed environment

The use of optical sensors to detect nitrogen (N) deficiencies and determine in-season fertilizer recommendations has grown. Nitrogen responses are difficult to detect early in the growing season. The objective of this experiment was to determine if different N sources could deliver early season detection of N deficiencies. Four N fertilizer sources were applied at rates of 90 and 180 kg N ha^?1 across three site-years. A Greenseeker and SPAD sensor were used to measure in-season fertilizer response index (RI). When differences in sensor RI values between N rates were present, they did not occur until the V9/10 growth stage. No specific N source provided superior results that led to a reliable, early season detection of N deficiency. Reliable differences in response index values could be detected beyond the V7/V8 growth stages. For earlier detection of N responsiveness, and potential N deficiency, other management strategies should be investigated.     

Determination of organic materials quality based on nutrient recovery,mineral fertilizer equivalency and maize (Zea mays L.) allometry

Crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa is primarily limited by soil fertility decline. In view of this, the fertilizer value of locally available organic materials (OMs) was assessed for their nutrient release to crop growth. Crop residues and farmyard manure (FYM) were evaluated along with mineral fertilizers to grow a test crop maize variety – Gibe 2. The maize allometric parameters, nutrient ratios (NRs), nutrient recovery (NRy) and mineral fertilizer equivalency (MFE) were used to assess the mineral fertilizer value (MFV) of OMs. MFE of OMs was estimated as the available mineral N and P out of the fraction of total nitrogen and phosphorus applied relative to mineral fertilizers supply. The results revealed that maize allometry, NRy and MFE were significantly influenced by fertilizer sources. OM amendment resulted in poor maize allometry and low NRy. Interestingly, MFE of OM amended ranged from ?201% with chickpea (CHP) residue to 63% with FYM. The results demonstrate that CHP has the poorest quality, while FYM is a good-quality OM as a fertilizer source.