Application of the end-of-season stalk nitrate test for a high-yield maize production system in Northwestern China |
| |
| Authors: | Zhi-ping Yang Yong-liang Wang Cai-xia Guo Jun-ling Guo Xiu-fu Shuai Russell Yost |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Agricultural Environment and Resources, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Taiyuan, China;2. Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Nutrient Resources of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China;3. Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science, University of Hawaii, Manoa, HI, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Excessive nitrogen application has caused serious environmental pollution under high-yield maize system in China. Our objective was to evaluate critical stalk nitrate (NO3?) levels that support high yield (>13 Mgha?1), but are not in excess. Optimal stalk NO3? concentration was determined by conducting seven nitrogen levels experiments in two high yield maize regions: Dongyang County (DY) and Wenshui County (WS). Optimal stalk NO3? concentration category range to obtain maximum yield in DY (sandy loam, higher accumulated temperature and solar radiation compared with WS) was 0.44–1.19, which similar to the criteria of US (0.70–2.0 g kg?1). While for WS (loam soil, lower accumulated temperature and solar radiation compared with DY), optimal stalk NO3? concentration category range to obtain maximum yield was 1.95–4.15, greatly higher than the US criteria. These results suggested thatit is necessary to establish matching optimal stalk NO3? category ranges for different ecological regions in China. |
| |
| Keywords: | critical nitrate concentration grain yield N translocation efficiency stalk nitrate test |
|
|
