Paper · 2023 · Agronomy

An Optimized Nitrogen Application Rate and Basal Topdressing Ratio Improves Yield, Quality, and Water- and N-use Efficiencies for Forage Maize (Zea mays L.)

Renshi Ma; Congze Jiang; Na Shou; et al.

14
claims
32
verbatim quotes
19
citations
2
research areas
✓
Open access · cc-by

Abstract

Applying nitrogen (N) fertilizer at irrational rates and basal topdressing ratios typically leads to high resource wastage and serious environmental pollution and is a global problem. A pot experiment was conducted between 2020 and 2021 to investigate the effects of different N application rates and basal topdressing ratios on the growth, yield, quality, and water- and N- use efficiencies of forage maize. Four N treatments were used, with the following levels: 0 kg/ha (N0), 70 kg/ha (N70), 140 kg/ha (N140), and 210 kg/ha (N210); and two basal topdressing ratios of N fertilizer were tested, namely: 2:8 and 4:6. An increased N application rate, from 0 to 200 kg/ha, increased whole fresh and dry yields. N fertilization increased the crude protein (CP) content of different plant parts (stems, leaves, and ears), as well as at the whole plant level, but decreased neutral and acid detergent fiber content. The dry matter water use efficiency (WUEDM) increased, while the partial-factor productivity of applied N decreased with an increasing N application rate. Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively, while WUEDM increased by 19.1%, 28.7%, and 45.0%, respectively. At the 2:8 basal topdressing ratio, the dry matter yield, CP content, and N recovery efficiency under all N application rates were higher at harvest compared to the 4:6 ratio during normal rainfall years, while dry matter yield and WUEDM were both lower compared to the 4:6 ratio during dry years. In conclusion, during a normal rainfall year, a N application rate of 210 kg/ha, with a basal topdressing ratio of 2:8 between the sowing and jointing stages, is considered the optimal N fertilizer application strategy to improve forage maize production in the semi-arid areas of the Chinese Loess Plateau.

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Claims 14

Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Higher nitrogen application increased whole fresh and dry yields.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
increased N application rate, from 0 to 200 kg/hae0
Outcome
whole fresh and dry yieldse0
Direction
increasede0
Comparator
0e0

Verbatim

e0

“An increased N application rate, from 0 to 200 kg/ha, increased whole fresh and dry yields.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 618–709 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Nitrogen fertilization increased crude protein in stems, leaves, ears and whole plants.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Organ / stage
stems, leaves, and earse0
Treatment
N fertilizatione0
Outcome
crude protein (CP) contente0
Direction
increasede0

Not reportedComparator

Verbatim

e0

“N fertilization increased the crude protein (CP) content of different plant parts (stems, leaves, and ears), as well as at the whole plant level”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 710–854 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Nitrogen fertilization decreased neutral and acid detergent fiber content.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N fertilizatione1
Outcome
neutral and acid detergent fiber contente0
Direction
decreasede0

Not reportedComparator

Verbatim

e0

“but decreased neutral and acid detergent fiber content.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 856–911 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
e1

“N fertilization increased the crude protein (CP) content of different plant parts (stems, leaves, and ears), as well as at the whole plant level”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 710–854 · show in text ↑
Associationobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Dry matter water use efficiency increased with nitrogen rate.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
increasing N application ratee0
Outcome
dry matter water use efficiency (WUEDM)e0
Direction
increasede0

Verbatim

e0

“The dry matter water use efficiency (WUEDM) increased, while the partial-factor productivity of applied N decreased with an increasing N application rate.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 912–1066 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Associationobservedoriginal resultnegativemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

Partial-factor productivity of applied N decreased with nitrogen rate.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
increasing N application ratee0
Outcome
partial-factor productivity of applied Ne0
Direction
decreasede0

Verbatim

e0

“The dry matter water use efficiency (WUEDM) increased, while the partial-factor productivity of applied N decreased with an increasing N application rate.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 912–1066 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

N70 increased two-year mean dry matter yield by 21.8% over N0.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N70e0
Outcome
dry matter yielde0
Direction
increasede0
Value
21.8%e0
Comparator
N0e0

Verbatim

e0

“Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1067–1197 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

N140 increased two-year mean dry matter yield by 27.6% over N0.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N140e0
Outcome
dry matter yielde0
Direction
increasede0
Value
27.6%e0
Comparator
N0e0

Verbatim

e0

“Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1067–1197 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

N210 increased two-year mean dry matter yield by 38.2% over N0.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N210e0
Outcome
dry matter yielde0
Direction
increasede0
Value
38.2%e0
Comparator
N0e0

Verbatim

e0

“Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1067–1197 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

N70 increased water use efficiency by 19.1% over N0.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N70e1
Outcome
WUEDMe0
Direction
increasede0
Value
19.1%e0
Comparator
N0e1

Verbatim

e0

“while WUEDM increased by 19.1%, 28.7%, and 45.0%, respectively.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1199–1262 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
e1

“Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1067–1197 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

N140 increased water use efficiency by 28.7% over N0.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N140e1
Outcome
WUEDMe0
Direction
increasede0
Value
28.7%e0
Comparator
N0e1

Verbatim

e0

“while WUEDM increased by 19.1%, 28.7%, and 45.0%, respectively.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1199–1262 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
e1

“Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1067–1197 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

N210 increased water use efficiency by 45.0% over N0.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
N210e1
Outcome
WUEDMe0
Direction
increasede0
Value
45.0%e0
Comparator
N0e1

Verbatim

e0

“while WUEDM increased by 19.1%, 28.7%, and 45.0%, respectively.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1199–1262 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
e1

“Compared with N0, the 2-year average dry matter yield under N70, N140, and N210 increased by 21.8%, 27.6%, and 38.2%, respectively”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1067–1197 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultpositivemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

During normal rainfall, 2:8 topdressing produced higher dry matter yield, protein content and nitrogen recovery than 4:6.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
2:8 basal topdressing ratioe0
Outcome
dry matter yield, CP content, and N recovery efficiencye0
Direction
highere0
Qualifier
during normal rainfall yearse0
Comparator
4:6 ratioe0

Verbatim

e0

“At the 2:8 basal topdressing ratio, the dry matter yield, CP content, and N recovery efficiency under all N application rates were higher at harvest compared to the 4:6 ratio during normal rainfall years”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1263–1466 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
Intervention effectobservedoriginal resultnegativemeasured

Claim · model-written summary

During dry years, 2:8 topdressing produced lower dry matter yield and water use efficiency than 4:6.

Taxon
forage maizet0
Treatment
2:8e1
Outcome
dry matter yield and WUEDMe0
Direction
lowere0
Qualifier
during dry yearse0
Comparator
4:6 ratioe0

Verbatim

e0

“dry matter yield and WUEDM were both lower compared to the 4:6 ratio during dry years”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1474–1559 · show in text ↑
t0

“Forage Maize”

✓ located verbatim in the source · title, characters 130–142 · show in text ↑
e1

“At the 2:8 basal topdressing ratio, the dry matter yield, CP content, and N recovery efficiency under all N application rates were higher at harvest compared to the 4:6 ratio during normal rainfall years”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1263–1466 · show in text ↑
Recommendationauthor interpretationoriginal resultpositivebasis n/a

Claim · model-written summary

Authors recommend 210 kg/ha N with a 2:8 basal topdressing ratio for normal rainfall years in the Chinese Loess Plateau.

Taxon
forage maizee0
Treatment
210 kg/ha, with a basal topdressing ratio of 2:8e0
Outcome
optimal N fertilizer application strategye0
Qualifier
during a normal rainfall yeare0
Setting
semi-arid areas of the Chinese Loess Plateaue0

Verbatim

e0

“during a normal rainfall year, a N application rate of 210 kg/ha, with a basal topdressing ratio of 2:8 between the sowing and jointing stages, is considered the optimal N fertilizer application strategy to improve forage maize production in the semi-arid areas of the Chinese Loess Plateau.”

✓ located verbatim in the source · abstract, characters 1576–1867 · show in text ↑

fertilization · quality: grain · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

106 papers: 89 positive, 17 negative or no effect

88 papers in the same direction as this paper · 17 in the opposite direction

  1. positive
  2. no effect
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fertilization · quality: protein · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

262 papers: 236 positive, 26 negative or no effect

235 papers in the same direction as this paper · 23 in the opposite direction · 3 reporting no difference from an alternative

  1. no effect
  2. negative
  3. negative

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nitrogen · yield · Zea mays (maize)Positive and negative results

2,185 papers: 1,906 positive, 279 negative or no effect

1,905 papers in the same direction as this paper · 234 in the opposite direction · 45 reporting no difference from an alternative

  1. no effect
  2. positive
  3. positive

2,181 papers more in this group

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Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.