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Functional relationships between yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and its components
Summary A field experiment was carried out in the years 2017–2019 on the fields of the Experimental Station in Chrząstowo, belonging to the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing in Słupia Wielka. It was carried out for 3 years in the same split-plot design with 2 experimental factors in 3 field replicates. The following factors were studied: A – 1st order factor – maize variety: A1 – ES Bombastic (FAO 230-240) – single cross hybrid (SC), A2 – ES Abakus (FAO 230-240) – three-way cross hybrid (TC, stay-green), A3 – ES Metronom (FAO 240) – single cross hybrid (SC, stay-green + roots power). B – 2nd order factor – type of nitrogen fertilizer: B1 – control (without N application), B2 – ammonium nitrate, B3 – urea, B4 – ammonium nitrate + N-Lock, B5 – urea + N-Lock, B6 – Super N-46, B7 – UltraGran stabilo. In this study, we investigated whether there was a functional relationship between maize grain yield and ear number, TSW (thousand-seed weight), and seed number per ear. Additionally, we investigated whether there was a functional relationship between maize grain yield and ear number, TSW, and seed number per ear for each type of fertilization in a given study year, as well as for each type of fertilization regardless of year.
Evaluation of the Effect of Conventional and Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizers on the Nutritional Status of Several Maize Cultivars (Zea mays L.) in Critical Growth Stages Using Plant Analysis
The study presents the results of a three year field trial aimed at assessing the nutritional status of maize in critical growth stages by means of a plant analysis in the cultivation of three maize cultivars differing in their agronomic and genetic profile. The main research problem was to demonstrate whether the availability of nitrogen from stabilized fertilizers for “stay-green” maize varieties is consistent with the dynamics of the demand for this component. This is very important from both the economic and agronomic aspect of maize cultivation. The research showed a significant response of the maize cultivars to different nitrogen fertilizer formulations, which was observed in the period from the five-leaf stage to the full flowering stage. The advantage of the fertilizer, UltraGran stabilo, over other nitrogen fertilizers in the BBCH 15 stage was demonstrated only for the cultivar, ES Metronom, which produced a greater aerial mass while maintaining the nitrogen concentration at the level of the other two maize cultivars. The nitrogen and potassium content shaped the kernel weight in the ear in the flowering stage, confirming the importance of the interaction of these two elements in forming this feature of maize as the main predictor of the grain yield. This trait (expressed by the R2 coefficient) manifested each year of the study, but especially in the years with optimal weather patterns (i.e., the first year). The response of the maize cultivars to nitrogen fertilizers, especially the cultivar, ES Metronom, was manifested by an increase in the content of nutrients and chlorophyll in the ear leaf, that is considered a predictive organ for grain yield. The fertilizers, Super N-46 and UltraGran stabilo, had a positive effect on the chlorophyll content (CCI parameter) and increased its efficiency of excitation energy transfer (the F0 parameter).
Response of Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) to the Application of Classic and Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizers—Nitrogen as a Predictor of Generative Yield
The study presents the results of a 3-year field trial aimed at assessing the yield and efficiency indicators of nitrogen application in the cultivation of three maize cultivars differing in agronomic and genetic profile. The advantages of the UltraGrain stabilo formulation (NBPT and NPPT) over ammonium nitrate and urea are apparent if a maize cultivar capable of efficient nutrient uptake in the pre-flowering period and effective utilization during the grain filling stage is selected. Therefore, the rational fertilization of maize with urea-based nitrogen fertilizer with a urease inhibitor requires the simultaneous selection of cultivars that are physiologically profiled for efficient nitrogen utilization from this form of fertilizer (“stay-green” cultivar). The interaction of a selective cultivar with a high genetically targeted potential for nitrogen uptake from soil, combined with a targeted selection of nitrogen fertilizer, is important not only in terms of production, but also environmental and economic purposes.