Nitrogen rates and plant density interactions enhance radiation interception, yield, and nitrogen use efficiencies of maize.

ABSTRACT: The contributions of the different leaf layers to maize yields identified as middle leaf > lower leaf > upper leaf, where the vertical photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in the canopy gradually decreases. We hypothesized that the allocation of more PAR and nitrogen (N) to the highest contributing leaves will would be beneficial for higher yields and N use efficiencies. The N application rate and plant density effectively regulated the canopy light and N distribution. We evaluated the interactive effects of N rate and plant density on the agronomic and ecophysiological characteristics of leaves at different orientations in a 2019/2020 field experiment. In this study, an N application rate of 180 kg ha^-1 coupled with a plant density of 82,500 plants ha^-1 achieved

SUBMITTER: Tian P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9540852 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature