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Alongside wheat, maize is one of the most important species of cereals used for food and feed as well as in the bioethanol industry. As a result of this fact, maize is today the spotlight of many researchers, constantly trying to increase the productivity of this species, particularly important i from the economic point of view. The main aim of this article is to investigate the efficiency of the Blidar type filter-paper bridges (BFPB) in initiating the maize in vitro cultures for liquid culture media, in comparison with the conventional agarized culture media - solid culture media. In these experiments a modified Murashige-Skoog culture media (1962) (free of AIA and amino acids) supplemented or not with agar, were used. The inocula consisted in caryopsis of Zea mays L. (hybrid Kiskun 4255) and based on the results of these experiments it can be underlined that growth increases for the cultivated vitroplants on liquid culture media provided with filter-paper bridges compared with those conventianlly cultivated on an agarized culture media, as following 5.34% for dry weight and 356.09% for leafs length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new method for detection of Fumonisin B1 mycotoxin in real maize samples. • The method consisted combine MIP membrane and PSI-MS for mycotoxin analysis. • The method exhibits a low detection limit (22.0 μg L-1) and good recoveries (98–105.5%). • A fast and straightforward way determined fumonisin B1 in maize-based products. Fumonisin B 1 (FB 1) is the most abundant and important mycotoxin for agriculture, food, and health among all fumonisins due to its widespread presence and toxicity. This compound is a concern for industries involving maize and maize-based products. This study proposes a new approach using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) combined with paper spray ionization mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) to enhance the sensitivity of analysis of FB 1 in maize samples. MIP was synthesized directly on a cellulose membrane using 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid as a template molecule. The analytical performance of MIP-PSI-MS provided a linear calibration curve with R2>0.99. Precision and accuracy were less than 5.5 % for all analyses. Finally, the MIP-PSI-MS method was applied to quantify the contents of FB 1 in commercial maize samples, and 0.439 ± 0.060 and 0.486 ± 0.061 μg mL−1 were found in two samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper purpose was to assess the impact of climate change on wheat, maize and sunflower yield in the period 2017-2021, using statistical data from National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and National Administration of Meteorology (NAM) and other sources. Comparison method was used to evaluate the deviations between the registered air temperatures and precipitations and the 1981-2010 climatological norm. Graphic method reflected the dynamics of monthly air temperatures and rainfalls in each year. Descriptive statistics for mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation reflected an more comprehensive image upon air temperature, precipitations and yield. Correlations and regression equations were used to establish the intensity of the kinks between climate factors and yield. The highest average air temperature In Romania was 12.130C in 2019. In the period 2017-2020, the average annual temperatures exceeded the climatological norm 1981-2010 accounting for 9.10C. The lowest rainfalls, 614.2 mm, were recorded in 2019, being below of 633.1 mm the norm for the period 1981-2010. The high temperatures associated with drought and low precipitations have deeply affected yield of many agricultural crops, including maize, wheat and sunflower. The highest wheat yield 4,888 kg/ha was achieved in 2017, and the lowest one, 2,966 kg/ha in 2020. Maize registered the highest performance of 7,644 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 3,977 kg/ha in 2020. Sunflower carried out the high performance 3,041 kg/ha in 2018, and the lowest one, 1,858 kg/ha in 2020. The worst agricultural years for these three crops was 2020, but 2017 favored wheat, while 2018 favored maize and sunflower. The correlation coefficient had in general small values between average temperature and yield, but a higher link with precipitations level. The multiple correlation between yield, air temperatures and precipitations was: r= 0.817 for wheat, r = 0.116 for maize and r = 0.504 for sunflower. In the South Eastern Dobrogea, the driest area in Romania, the rainfalls declined by 65% in the period 2018-2020 having a deep negative impact on sunflower seeds yield, which decreased from 4,282 kg/ha in 2018, to 1,503 kg/ha in 2020. The correlation between precipitations and sunflower yield positive and very strong (r = 0.737). As a conclusion, the climate conditions should be analyzed in each farm and farmers have to take measure to adapt the technologies for sustaining production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize Ustilago maydis is a disease that severely affects maize yield and quality. In this paper, we employed transcriptome sequencing and GWAS analysis to identify candidate genes and reveal disease-resistant germplasm resources, thereby laying the foundation for further analysis of the molecular mechanism of maize Ustilago maydis resistance and genetic improvement. The results of transcriptome sequencing revealed that a considerable number of receptor kinase genes, signal-transduction-related protein genes, redox-response-related genes, WRKYs, and P450s genes were significantly upregulated. There was a wide range of mutations of Ustilago maydis in maize inbred lines. Thirty-two high-resistance maize inbred lines were selected, and 16 SNPs were significantly associated with the disease index. By integrating the results of GWAS and RNA-seq, five genes related to disease resistance were identified, encoding the chitinase 1 protein, fatty acid elongase (FAE), IAA9, GATA TF8, and EREB94, respectively. It provides a certain reference for the cloning of maize anti-tumor smut genes and the breeding of new varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main concern of today's scientists is the sustainable development of agriculture to achieve global food and nutrition security. Genome editing technology is recognized worldwide for its potential for sustainable agricultural intensification. In this paper, applications of genome editing in maize were analyzed and exemplified, based on statistical data collected from the EU-SAGE Database from January 1996 to July 2023. In addition, the existing regulations for this new technology were also discussed. The results showed that, so far, 51 applications of maize genome editing have been reported in the EU-SAGE database, and the CRISPR/Cas system was the most used genome editing tool with the potential to rapidly generate new genotypes with high yield, improved quality, and stresses resistance. Most applications were developed in China and the USA. Due to current GMO legislation and political indecision regarding the authorization of genome-edited products, the European Union is not yet able to use and cultivate these new improved genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Pesticide Science / Nongyaoxue Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Pesticide Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Modern computational modeling could provide the key to obtaining new insights into the mechanisms of maize stalk failure as well as suggesting new ways to improve stalk strength. However, a complete set of mechanical properties of maize tissues is required to enable computational modeling of maize stems. This study developed two compression test methods for obtaining the longitudinal modulus of elasticity of both rind and pith tissues, assessed the influence of water content on tissue properties, and investigated the relationship between rind modulus and pith modulus. These methods involved uniform 5–7 cm segments of maize stems which were scanned using a flatbed scanner then tested in compression using a universal testing machine in both intact and dissected (rind-only and pith-only) states. Results: The modulus of elasticity of pith tissues was highest for fully turgid specimens and decreased as water was removed from the specimens. Water content was negatively correlated with the modulus of elasticity of the rind. Rind and pith tissues were found to be weakly correlated. The median ratio of rind modulus to pith modulus was found to be 17. Of the two methods investigated, the pith-only specimen preparation was found to be simple reliable while the rind-only method was found to be adversely affected by lateral bowing of the specimen. Conclusions: Researchers can use the information in this paper to improve computational models of maize stems in three ways: (1) by incorporating realistic values of the longitudinal modulus of elasticity of pith and rind tissues; (2) by selecting pith and rind properties that match empirically observed ratios; and (3) by incorporating appropriate dependencies between these material properties and water content. From an experimental perspective, the intact/pith-only experimental method outlined in this paper is simpler than previously reported methods and provides reliable estimates of both pith and rind modulus of elasticity values. Further research using this measurement method is recommended to more clearly understand the influence of water content and turgor pressure on tissue properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the main agricultural crops grown worldwide under very diverse climate and soil conditions. For maize cultivation in a conventional tillage system, autumn plowing is a mandatory condition. Minimum soil tillage or no tillage has been applied in recent years, both in research and in production, for reasons relating to soil conservation and fuel economy. This paper presents the results of the research executed under pedoclimatic conditions at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda (ARDS Turda, Romania; chernozem soil) regarding the behavior of the maize hybrid Turda 332 cultivated in four tillage systems and two levels of fertilization during the period of 2016–2022. The following soil tillage systems were applied: a conventional tillage system (CT) and unconventional tillage systems in three variants—a minimum tillage system with a chisel (MTC), a minimum tillage system with a disk (MTD), and a no-tillage system (NT). They were applied with two levels of fertilization: basic fertilization (350 kg ha−1 NPK 16:16:16, applied at sowing) and optimized fertilization (350 kg ha−1 NPK 16:16:16 applied at sowing + 150 kg ha−1 calcium ammonium nitrate with additional fertilization in the phenophase of the maize with 6–7 leaves). The results highlight the fact that under the conditions of chernozem soils with a high clay content (41% clay content), maize does not lend itself to cultivation in MTD and NT, requiring deeper mobilization, with the yield data confirming this fact. This is because under the agrotechnical conditions for sowing carried out in MTD and NT, the seeder used (Maschio Gaspardo MT 6R) does not allow for the high-quality sowing of maize, especially under dry soil conditions. Instead, the MTC system could be an alternative to the conventional tillage system, with the yield difference being below 100 kg ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researches presented in this paper were carried out during agricultural year 2019 in Grădifftea, Ilfov County and the main objective was investigation of the variability of yield for maize hybrid P0268 under application of a starter microgranular fertilizer with a 25 kg·ha-1 dose. The chosen hybrid is characterized by high yield, resistance to drought and high temperatures, being suitable for all types of soils, including those with low level of organic matter. The selected microgranular fertilizer for experiment ensures fast start of crops, accelerating the germination and influence positively the development of root system. The efficiency of microgranular fertilizer was evidenced at all maize vegetation stages and consisted in more vigorous and intense green colored plants, well developed radicular system and stems in comparison with unfertilized control variant. At harvest time, the grain yield in the case of fertilized variant was with 229 kg·ha-1, higher in comparison with control. This experiment reveals the efficacy of microgranular fertilizer application on maize yield, but under climatic conditions of the agricultural year 2019, economic efficiency was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of the maize leaf area index (LAI) and biomass is of great importance in guiding field management and early yield estimation. Physical models and traditional machine learning methods are commonly used for LAI and biomass estimation. However, these models and methods mostly rely on handcrafted features and theoretical formulas under idealized assumptions, which limits their accuracy. Deep neural networks have demonstrated great superiority in automatic feature extraction and complicated nonlinear approximation, but their application to LAI and biomass estimation has been hindered by the shortage of in situ data. Therefore, bridging the gap of data shortage and making it possible to leverage deep neural networks to estimate maize LAI and biomass is of great significance. Optical data cannot provide information in the lower canopy due to the limited penetrability, but synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data can do this, so the integration of optical and SAR data is necessary. In this paper, 158 samples from the jointing, trumpet, flowering, and filling stages of maize were collected for investigation. First, we propose an improved version of the mixup training method, which is termed mixup+, to augment the sample amount. We then constructed a novel gated Siamese deep neural network (GSDNN) based on a gating mechanism and a Siamese architecture to integrate optical and SAR data for the estimation of the LAI and biomass. We compared the accuracy of the GSDNN with those of other machine learning methods, i.e., multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), and a multilayer perceptron (MLP). The experimental results show that without the use of mixup + , the GSDNN achieved a similar accuracy to that of the simple neural network MLP in terms of R 2 and RMSE, and this was slightly lower than those of MLR, SVR, and RFR. However, with the help of mixup + , the GSDNN achieved state-of-the-art performance ( R 2 = 0.71, 0.78, and 0.86 and RMSE = 0.58, 871.83, and 150.76 g/m 2 , for LAI, Biomass_wet, and Biomass_dry, respectively), exceeding the accuracies of MLR, SVR, RFR, and MLP. In addition, through the integration of optical and SAR data, the GSDNN achieved better accuracy in LAI and biomass estimation than when optical or SAR data alone were used. We found that the most appropriate amount of synthetic data from mixup + was five times the amount of original data. Overall, this study demonstrates that the GSDNN + mixup + has great potential for the integration of optical and SAR data with the aim of improving the estimation accuracy of the maize LAI and biomass with limited in situ data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the prospects of Ukraine on the world grain market and ways to increase the efficiency of maize cultivation using environmentally safe technologies in the conditions of the negative impact of climate change and other stress factors. The methodological approach takes into account the peculiarities of agrarian production based on the use of data of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United States Department of Agriculture, United Nations, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and State Statistics Service of Ukraine. The dynamics of world production and export of maize grain, sown areas, production and yield of maize in Ukraine are demonstrated, which directly focuses attention on the competitiveness of Ukrainian maize on the world grain market. These arguments are confirmed by analytical results, which show that in 2022, among the world leaders of maize grain producers, Ukraine took fifth place, and among exporters - fourth. In order to mitigate the impact of climate change and other stress factors on the effective production and export of Ukrainian maize, adaptation measures are proposed, which consist in the application of modern technologies, which include: optimization of the structure of sown areas and scientifically based crop rotations with the effective use of competitive varieties and hybrids of agricultural crops, the introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers and plant protection products, the use of soil protective tillage, sideration and mulching, irrigation systems, and also the productive use of plant residues with the application of modern biodestructors. Their comprehensive implementation will contribute to the development of maize yield, grain quality, preservation of biodiversity and the solution of the grain-food problem in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examined the knowledge level and adoption behaviour of maize growers in Nagaland. Altogether, 120 respondents were selected following proportionate random sampling from 8 villages from four blocks of two districts. Two indices, namely, knowledge and adoption indices were developed. The maize growers had inadequate knowledge of improved cultivation practices of maize. Respondents had inadequate adoption index. The variables- age, marital status, and family size had having statistically significant relationship at 5% with knowledge level. Simultaneously, income from maize cultivation, informal information, mass media, social participation, and experience in maize cultivation established a statistically significant relationship at 1% with the knowledge level. Similarly, marital status, education, and informal sources of information established a statistically significant relationship at 5% with the adoption level, and annual income was found to be statistically significant at 1% with the adoption level. It is recommended that all the stakeholders and extension systems take the initiative to improve maize cultivation in Nagaland, which will accelerate the socio-economic up-scaling of the study community. Concerned authorities may also carry out frequent capacity development and technology transfer drives for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanism of grain development in elite maize breeding lines has not been fully elucidated. Grain length, grain width and grain weight are key components of maize grain yield. Previously, using the Chinese elite maize breeding line Chang7-2 and its large grain mutant tc19, we characterized the grain size developmental difference between Chang7-2 and tc19 and performed transcriptomic analysis. Results: In this paper, using Chang7-2 and tc19, we performed comparative transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses at different grain development stages. Through proteomics analyses, we found 2884, 505 and 126 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) at 14, 21 and 28 days after pollination, respectively. Through metabolomics analysis, we identified 51, 32 and 36 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) at 14, 21 and 28 days after pollination, respectively. Through multiomics comparative analysis, we showed that the phenylpropanoid pathways are influenced at transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic levels in all the three grain developmental stages. Conclusion: We identified several genes in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, which may be related to the large grain phenotype of tc19. In summary, our results provided new insights into maize grain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arid Land Geography is the property of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology & Geography and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper describes decades of research developing a new type of corn (maize) cultivar that utilizes partnerships with seed-borne, bacterial endophytes to create environmentally friendly, nutritious corn that is better adapted to organic farming. Over time the project engaged and formed multiple, evolving networks of corn breeders and other scientists, organic farmers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private companies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and state agricultural universities in several states. It addressed and partly resolved the need for developing (a) yield-competitive hybrids with greater nutrient density (methionine and minerals), (b) better adapted inbreds for organic production conditions, and (c) reduced pollution from nitrogen fertilizers. The partnership approach taken also differs from usual top-down mechanistic breeding approaches in that the methods of breeding entailed holistic attention, learning, and respect for what turned out to be corn plants evolving in symbiogenesis with beneficial microbial partners. Initial studies indicate that the resulting corn from the program is competitive in yield but has better nutritional value. It obtains more of its nitrogen from microbial biomass and organic matter and nitrogen fixation than does conventional corn. Its performance partially depends on seed-borne plant/microbial partnerships. This corn continues to be developed at the Mandaamin Institute but is also being commercially introduced for testing by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research of alternative variants to the conventional tillage system (characterized by plowing with furrow turning) pursued the development and promotion of technologies adapted to the specific conditions of different agricultural areas, especially regarding soil type, climatic conditions, land topography and equipment available. The failure of the extension of many alternative tillage practices has been linked to weeding, cultural deficiencies and lower yields. The paper presents the results of research regarding the influence of the tillage system, fertilization and chemical treatments, the degree of weeding of the crop and the yield of maize during 2018–2021, under the conditions of the Turda Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Turda, located in the Transylvanian Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since joining the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico has increased its meat production and exports and become more dependent on imported feedstuffs such as genetically engineered (GE) corn. Mexico recently banned the use of GE corn in corn‐based foods and called for a gradual substitution away from the use of GE corn for other uses (e.g., feed). This paper considers how a complete ban on GE corn might affect Mexican households using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to simulate the impact over the medium run (5 years). Results indicate that Mexico decreases corn imports by 76.9% and increases corn production by 65.6%—an increase that would require 3.3 million hectares more land for corn. The policy leads to a 24.8% increase in Mexico's corn price and up to a 6% increase in the prices of other agricultural products. But Mexico might have difficulty shifting land to corn; as such, we consider an alternative scenario that restricts land movements. We find that impacts are further exacerbated in this scenario—for example, corn prices triple. Our final contribution is to pair these results with a compensating variation calculation based on the almost ideal demand system. We find that Mexican households would need to spend, on average, between 6.7 and 13.9% more on food, depending on the scenario, to compensate for the resulting price escalations. Ultimately, our results show that a move toward greater food sovereignty in Mexico is ultimately borne by consumers via higher food prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents the effects of the experimental year and the hybrid (genotype) on the grain yield, protein and oil contents of Romanian commercial maize hybrids. Field trials were conducted at Agricultural Research and Development Station Şimnic located in southwestern Romania, during three successive years (2016, 2017 and 2018). The average grain yield for all hybrids tested was 7.53 t/ha. The 2018 yields were significantly higher than the 2016 and 2017 yields. The F376 hybrid achieved the highest average grain yield and oil content but the lowest protein content. The very dry year 2017 was the best year for the synthesis of protein and oil in maize grains. The average protein content for all hybrids tested was 14.5% and the average oil content was 5.1%. Oituz and F423 hybrids achieved the highest average protein content compared to other hybrids tested. The Oituz hybrid also achieved the highest average oil content (except the F376 hybrid). The combined three years of data revealed that grain yield was significantly negatively correlated with the protein and oil contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal disease of grain crops is a concern for the agricultural industry, resulting in economic losses. Aside from severe yield losses, mycotoxigenic fungi such as Penicillium and Fusarium can produce harmful mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA). This proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility and effects of ultraviolet (UV) C light at 253.7 nm to reduce fungal and mycotoxin loads on model surfaces as well as on maize and wheat kernels using benchtop 2D and 3D illumination strategies. Reduction of Penicillium verrucosum (98.6%) and Fusarium graminearum (88.8%) on agar was achieved using a UV-C dose of 100 mJ cm−2. Naturally occurring fungal growth resembling P. verrucosum on maize was reduced by 79% after exposure to 5000 mJ cm−2. Similarly, fungal growth resembling F. graminearum on maize was reduced by 60% with 1000 mJ cm−2. On wheat, significant reduction of fungal growth was not observed. Maximal reduction of DON (97.3%), ZEN (75.4%), and OTA (91.2%) on filter paper was obtained using 15,000 mJ cm−2. The overall reduction of DON (30%; 14%), ZEN (52%; 42%), and OTA (17%; 6%) on maize and wheat, respectively, was lower than on filter paper. Moisture and crude protein content as well as percent germination of maize kernels were not affected by UV-C treatment up to 5000 mJ cm−2. This study has shown that 3D UV-C treatment is a feasible option for reducing Fusarium and Penicillium growth on maize kernels and, at higher doses, decreasing ZEN by ~ 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate fungi (DSE) were simultaneously colonized in the root cells of maize. Single AMF and DSE symbiosis have been proven to improve the drought tolerance of maize. However, the effects of both fungi coexisting in maize roots under drought stress are not yet known. In this study, pot experiments of maize seedlings were conducted through four inoculation treatments (single AMF inoculation of Rhizophagus irregularis, single DSE inoculation of Exophiala pisciphila, co-inoculation of AMF + DSE and non-mycorrhizal inoculation) under well-watered (WW) and drought-stressed (DS) conditions. AMF and DSE colonization status, maize physiology and aquaporin gene expression in maize roots were investigated. The objective of this paper was to evaluate whether AMF and DSE had competitive, independent or synergistic effects on regulating the drought tolerance of maize. When maize seedlings of three inoculation treatments were subjected to drought stress, single AMF inoculation had the highest shoot and root dry weight, plant height, root length, osmotic root hydraulic conductivity and hydrostatic root hydraulic conductivity in maize seedlings. However, co-inoculation of AMF + DSE induced the highest stomatal conductance in maize leaves and the lowest H2O2 and O2•− concentration, membrane electrolyte leakage, intercellular CO2 concentration and gene expression level of ZmPIP1;1, ZmPIP1;2, ZmPIP2;1, ZmPIP2;5 and ZmPIP2;6. In addition, co-inoculation of AMF + DSE also obviously down-regulated the GintAQPF1 and GintAQPF2 expression in R. irregularis compared with single AMF inoculation treatment. Under DS stress, there were competitive relationships between AMF and DSE with regard to regulating mycorrhizal colonization, maize growth, root hydraulic conductivity and the gene expression of aquaporins in R. irregularis, but there were synergistic relationships with regard to regulating membrane electrolyte leakage, oxidative damage, photosynthesis and the aquaporin gene expression of maize seedlings. The obtained results improve our knowledge about how the mechanisms of AMF and DSE coexist, promoting the drought tolerance of host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely grown cereals in the world. Its cultivation is affected by abiotic stress caused by climate change, in particular, drought. Zinc (Zn) supplied by foliar nutrition can increase plant resistance to water stress by enhancing physiological and enzymatic antioxidant defence mechanisms. One of the possibilities to reduce the effect of drought on plant production is also the utilization of trehalose. In order to confirm the effect of the foliar application of selected forms of Zn (0.1% w/v solution)—zinc oxide micro- (ZnO) and nanoparticles (ZnONP), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and zinc chelate (ZnEDTA)—a pot experiment in controlled conditions was conducted in combination with trehalose (1% w/v solution) on selected growth parameters of maize exposed to the drought stress. A significant effect of coapplication of Zn and trehalose on chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, root electrical capacity, weight of maize aboveground biomass (AGB) and Zn content in AGB was found. At the same time, the hypothesis of a positive effect of carbohydrates on increasing the uptake of foliar-applied Zn was confirmed, especially for the ZnEDTA and ZnSO4. This paper presents the first empirical evidence of the trehalose addition to sprays for zinc foliar fertilization of maize proving to be an effective way of increasing the resistance of maize grown under drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Maize is one of the most important food and feed sources at the worldwide level. Due to this importance, all the pathogens that can infect this crop can harm both food safety and security. Fungi are the most important pathogens in cultivated maize, and Fusarium spp. are one of the most important families. Reduction in yield and production of dangerous mycotoxins are the main effects of Fusarium spp. infection. Fusarium graminearum (part of the Fusarium graminearum species complex) is one the most important fungi that infect maize, and it is the causative agent of Gibberella ear rot (GER). The main characteristics of this species include its ability to infect various species and its varying infection pressures across different years. This fungus produces various harmful mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, butanolide, and culmorin. Infection can start from silk channels or from ear wounds. In the first case, the environmental conditions are the most important factors, but in the second, a key role is played by the feeding action of lepidopteran larvae (in Europe, Ostrinia nubilalis). All these factors need to be taken into account to develop a successful management strategy, starting from cropping methods that can reduce the source of inoculum to the direct control of the fungus with fungicide, as well as insect control to reduce ear wounds. But, the most important factor that can reduce the effects of this fungus is the use of resistant hybrids. Different studies have highlighted different defensive methods developed by the plant to reduce fungal infections, like fast drying of silk and kernels, chemical compounds produced by the plant after infection, and mechanical protection from insects' wounds. The aim of this paper is to review the scientific evidence of the most important management strategies against GER in maize and to highlight the genetic basis which is behind hybrid resistance to this disease, with a focus on genes and QTLs found in studies conducted across the world and with different types of maize from tropical cultivars to European flint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agricultural Archaeology is the property of Agricultural Archaeology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Due to its high yielding capacity and its adaptability, the maize crop has become the main crop grown by Romanian farmers. Although the most important problem in maize cultivation were weed control, in recent years the pest control has become as important as the weed control. Due to the long monoculture, farmers are faced with very high pest densities, which leads to a reduction in yield but also in its quality, in extreme cases completely compromising the crop, making it necessary to reseed the crop. Pests of the maize crop target its entire vegetation period, and therefore farmers are subject to higher production costs by applying additional insecticide treatments. The objective of the present paper is to present the influence of crop rotation on the density and the attack intensity of the main pest of the maize crop. The research was performed under field conditions in South Romania (Giurgiu county, Putineiu location) in 2022, and the pests taken into account were Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll. (maize leaf weevil), Helicoverpa armigera Hb. (cotton bollworm or corn earworm) and Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn. (corn borer). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has become the biggest global challenge, being a real danger especially for crops and an inevitable threat to food security. This paper presents the results of a study conducted in the Transylvanian Plain during 2012–2021, regarding the influence of climatic factors, such as temperature, rainfall, water reserve in the soil and hours of sunshine, on the development stages and yield of maize. During 2012–2021, the soil water reserve determined for maize cultivation was above the minimum requirements (1734.8 m3 ha−1) in the spring months, but fell below this limit in the months when the water consumption for maize was the highest, but without reaching the withering index (1202.8 m3 ha−1). The hours of sunshine in the maize vegetation period have been significantly reduced from 1655.5 h (2012) to values between 1174.6 and 1296.7 h, with a significant decrease in this parameter being observed. The coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.51) shows the importance of rainfall during the period of emergence of reproductive organs in maize production. During 2019–2021, there was a decreasing trend of temperatures in May compared to the multiannual average of this month, and therefore the processes of emergence and growth of plants in the early stages were affected. During the period of the study, all parameters analyzed (temperature, rainfall, water reserve in the soil, hours of sunshine) deviated from the multiannual average, with negative variations compared to the requirements of maize. Climatic conditions, especially during the growing season, have a significant influence on the yield of a crop, especially when the interaction between several parameters is manifested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale application in Romania of work systems that aim to preserve soil fertility is of primary importance given that increasing arable areas are cultivated without consulting a specialist and without a system in which to take account of the short-, medium- or long-term consequences on the soil. The purpose of soil preparation works performed after the ploughing consist of breaking and crushing the structural soil clods and soil structural macroaggregates in order to sow. For the execution of mechanized soil scarification, the preparation of the germination bed and of the sowing of maize is important for the choice of the types of tractors according to the technological work process and the biological properties of crops depending on the following indicators: gauge, size, plot size, energy consumption of agricultural machinery, land condition, humidity, and manoeuvrability. This paper aims to highlight the usefulness and economic efficiency of conservative (unconventional) works because this cultivation technology contributes to: reducing soil works to a minimum by reducing the number of machines; reducing soil setting by reducing the number of passes and work operations; reducing water and wind erosion by leaving plant remains on the soil surface; maintaining soil humidity by reducing evaporative water losses because the layer of plant remains are left on the ground; increasing the soil water capacity due to the layer of plant remains that slows water drain on the soil surface thus increasing the infiltration time; improving the physical structure of the soil; increasing the content of humus; and developing biological activity in the soil. From an economic point of view, the method is less costly because it reduces fuel consumption and working time with machines. The use of modern mechanization technologies has a great economic efficiency due to the following: works are carried out in a short period of time, so that the optimal time of technological work is respected; the number of aggregates is reduced; the number of passes on the ground is reduced; the setting of soil is reduced; wage costs are reduced; fuel consumption is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agriculture / Poljoprivreda is the property of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although, morphologically, maize is one of the most vigorous species, with a well-developed root system and stem, lately it has become sensitive to one particular species of weeds, namely Ambrosia artemisiifolia. With devastating effects on agriculture, on the environment and on human health, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, comonly named ragweed, is one of the most harmful invasive species. Currently, it belongs to the category of dominant weeds in some agricultural crops, which causes significant damage in production and from observations made in the maize crop, its frequency exceeds 50 individuals on a square meter. This paper presents the results of herbicides efficacy tests regarding the control of this invasive species in maize crop. The research was carried out in the Timiş Plain, on a eutricambosoil soil type, poorly glayed, with high fertility, due to good physical and chemical properties. Of the four herbicides applied post-emergence in maize crop, the best efficacy was obtained by Glyfos Ultra herbicide, applied in doses of 3.5 l / ha, which ensured a significant reduction in coverage, of over 90% 15 days after application, while Kideka herbicide has been situated at the opposite pole, with an efficacy of about 82%. Also, the results of the same set of herbicides applied indicate very high efficacy of Glyfos Ultra herbicide, which exceeds a percent of 98% 30 days after application, while the lowest results were obtained by the herbicide named Dicash 480 SL of approximately 67%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earhead worm Autoba silicula (Swinhoe, 1897) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) is recorded for the first time in India on maize. Larvae were found feeding on maturing grains and silk, fully fed matured larvae pupates under a dome shaped or elongated galleries made of silk inside the cob. Roving survey conducted during 2019 and 2020 recorded on an average 0.40 and 0.45 larvae per plant, respectively, which is below the economic threshold. In the present study, information on species diagnosis with illustrations, occurrence, nature and symptoms of damage are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate speed measurement method is a prerequisite for an electric-drive precision planter. However, the influence of speed measurement methods on planting quality under different field conditions is unclear. In this paper, an electric-drive precision planter compatible with different speed measurement methods was built. Then, an experimental study was conducted to compare the influence of real-time kinematic positioning global navigation satellite system, global navigation satellite system, rotary encoder, and Doppler radar on the planting quality under different field conditions (tillage and no-tillage fields) and operational speeds (4, 6, 8, 10 km h−1). The results indicated that the speed measurement method had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on quality of feed index and multiples index, but it had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on missing index and coefficient of variation. The real-time kinematic positioning global navigation satellite system is the best for the electric-drive precision planter under typical working conditions (tillage and no-tillage fields); the average quality of feed index was 98.4 %, and was 86.8 %, respectively in the tillage and no-tillage field. The rotary encoder is an alternative in tillage fields, and the global navigation satellite system is an alternative in no-tillage fields. The results of the study quantify the influence of speed measurement methods on planting quality under different field conditions, which can help promote the development and application of electric-drive planting technology to safeguard maize yields. • An electric-drive maize precision planting system was built. • The system was compatible with different speed measurement methods. • The influence of speed measurement methods on planting quality was assessed. • A selection procedure for speed measurement methods under different field conditions was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solving the problem of the stem contour extraction of maize is difficult under open field conditions, and the stem diameter cannot be measured quickly and nondestructively. In this paper, maize at the small and large bell stages was the object of study. An adaptive threshold segmentation algorithm based on the color space model was proposed to obtain the stem contour and stem diameter of maize in the field. Firstly, 2D images of the maize stem in the field were captured with an RGB-D camera. Then, the images were processed by hue saturation value (HSV) color space. Next, the stem contour of the maize was extracted by maximum between-class variance (Otsu). Finally, the reference method was used to obtain the stem diameter of the maize. Scatter plots and Dice coefficients were used to compare the contour extraction effects of the HSV + fixed threshold algorithm, the HSV + Otsu algorithm, and the HSV + K-means algorithm. The results showed that the HSV + Otsu algorithm is the optimal choice for extracting the maize stem contour. The mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and root mean square error (RMSE) of the maize stem diameter at the small bell stage were 4.30 mm, 10.76%, and 5.29 mm, respectively. The mean absolute error, MAPE, and RMSE of the stem diameter of the maize at the large bell stage were 4.78 mm, 12.82%, and 5.48 mm, respectively. The MAPE was within 10–20%. The results showed that the HSV + Otsu algorithm could meet the requirements for stem diameter measurement and provide a reference for the acquisition of maize phenotypic parameters in the field. In the meantime, the acquisition of maize phenotypic parameters under open field conditions provides technical and data support for precision farming and plant breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize has sustained the Zuni and other peoples of the arid American Southwest for more than four millennia. In Zuni dryland agriculture, fields on alluvial fans and other valley-edge landforms are managed to receive supplemental water and nutrients by retaining storm runoff and associated sediment and organic material transported from adjoining uplands. An experiment with Zuni blue maize (Zea mays L.) and commercial hybrid maize was conducted in two Zuni fields to study traditional maize and its productivity as part of a larger study of Zuni agroecosystems. Following a closely related paper on maize growth and productivity, studies of maize nutrient composition and quality are presented here. More nutrient differences occurred between Zuni and hybrid maize than between runoff and other treatments. Zuni grain had higher concentrations of more nutrients than hybrid maize, and for several elements, there was an inverse pattern in grain vs. leaf nutrient concentration between cultivars. Zuni grain had a higher N (protein) concentration than hybrid maize, and a higher proportion of N in grain vs. leaf, indicating an ability to partition more N and other nutrients into grain. Parallel differences in maize and soil N and P were found between the two fields, though the cultivars had different P content patterns. Overall, agronomically sufficient concentrations of most nutrients were present across cultivars and treatments. Long-term production and nutrient management of maize grown without conventional irrigation or fertilization reflect a traditional agroecosystem that incorporates sustainable practices intended to maintain productivity with conservation of soil and water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania, maize ranks the first place regarding the cultivated area. In 2019, there were cultivated over 2.68 million ha with maize, with a total production of 17.43 million tonnes. The maize yield is influenced by the climatic conditions, applied crop technology, but also by the pest attack which can have a significant effect on the final yield. The objective of the present paper is to present the effectiveness of different pesticide treatments (seed and vegetation treatments) against the maize leaf weevil (Tanymecus dilaticollis Gyll.) attack in the maize crops from South Romania. The researches were performed under field conditions in South Romania (Giurgiu county, Putineiu location) in 2019. The experimental factors were the followings: Factor A: pesticide seed treatment, with three variants (no pesticide seed treatment; Nuprid AL 600 FS (600 g/l imidacloprid), in dose of 8 l/t of seeds; Actara 25 WG (25% thiametoxam), in dose of 10 kg/t of seeds); Factor B: pesticide treatment in the vegetation period, after plant emergence, with three variants (no pesticide treatment; Mospilan 20 SG (200 g/kg acetamiprid), in dose of 0.1 kg/ha; Actara 25 WG (25% thiametoxam), in dose of 0.1 kg/ha; Lamdex Extra (25 g/kg lambda-cihalotrin), in dose of 0.3 kg/ha); Factor C: maize hybrid, with two variants (Olt hybrid; DKC4351 hybrid). The higher insecticide effectiveness in terms of productivity was registered in the variant with the seed treatment with Nuprid AL 600 FS, with 12,460 kg/ha and with a plant density of 70,536 plants/ha. The highest maize leaf weevil attack was recorded on the control variant with no pesticide treatment applied (no pesticide seed treatment and no insecticide applied in the vegetation period). In the case of spraying insecticides in the first vegetation stages against maize leaf weevil, the higher effectiveness was recorded on the variant treated with Mospilan 20 SG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yield of a crop is dependent on the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors, the most important being the pedoclimatic conditions and the attack of diseases and pests. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the interaction of biotic and abiotic factors on the yield of the Turda 332 maize hybrid in the period 2018-2020. A multifactorial experiment was organized, with the following graduations: factor A - climatic conditions in the experimental years (2018-2019-2020), factor B - tillage system (conventional, minimum tillage with chisel, minimum tillage with disc, no-tillage), factor C - foliar fertilizers (different grades of mineral fertilization with macro and microelements). The obtained results indicate that the way of processing the soil has an influence on the water reserve in the soil and on the yield elements, but the biggest impact has the environmental conditions, in 2018 and 2020, favorable years for maize cultivation, the yield was 8971 kg/ha respectively 8578 kg/ha, and in 2019, a less favorable year, the yield was 5581 kg/ha. The frequency and intensity of the attack of diseases and pests are influenced by the variation of climatic conditions, in 2018 and 2020 registering the highest frequency of attack, the tillage system as well by the level of fertilization, in the variants with foliar fertilization registering the lowest attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kiva is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Due to global climate change, droughts are likely to become more frequent and more severe in many regions such as in South Africa. In Limpopo, observed high climate variability and projected future climate change will likely increase future maize production risks. This paper evaluates drought patterns in Limpopo at two representative sites. We studied how drought patterns are projected to change under future climatic conditions as an important step in identifying adaptation measures (e.g., breeding maize ideotypes resilient to future conditions). Thirty-year time horizons were analyzed, considering three emission scenarios and five global climate models. We applied the WOFOST crop model to simulate maize crop growth and yield formation over South Africa's summer season. We considered three different crop emergence dates. Drought indices indicated that mainly in the scenario SSP5-8.5 (2051–2080), Univen and Syferkuil will experience worsened drought conditions (DC) in the future. Maize yield tends to decline and future changes in the emergence date seem to impact yield significantly. A possible alternative is to delay sowing date to November or December to reduce the potential yield losses. The grain filling period tends to decrease in the future, and a decrease in the duration of the growth cycle is very likely. Combinations of changed sowing time with more drought tolerant maize cultivars having a longer post-anthesis phase will likely reduce the potential negative impact of climate change on maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate factors have an impact on plant life cycle, yield, productivity, economy and profitability of agricultural production. There are not a lot of studies on understanding of influence of climate factors variation on maize yield in agro-ecological conditions of Serbia. The aim of this paper is analysis of variation of climatic factors over a long-time period, as well as assessment of impact of the examined climate parameters on maize yield in two localities in the Republic of Serbia. For the analysis of climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, sunshine, humidity) in the region of Central Serbia and Vojvodina, the data of meteorological stations Kragujevac and Sombor during two thirty-year periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020) were used. In order to determine the existence and strength of the relationship between the observed climatic factors and maize yield, a correlation analysis of these indicators for the period 2005–2020 years, was performed. In the period 1991–2020, the average values of temperature were annually increased for 0.046 °C in Kragujevac and for 0.05 °C in Sombor, and in the same period the average value of sunshine on an annual level was increased for 1.3 h in Kragujevac and for 5.01 h in Sombor, 2020 in comparison to average values in period of 1961–1990. The humidity was decline annually for 1.3 in Kragujevac and for 3.4 in Sombor in period 1991–2020 in comparison to average humidity in period of 1961–1990. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the maize yield was significantly lower in the years with expressed high temperatures and precipitation deficit. Based on these studies, established effect of climate change on maize yield and that this demand developing adaptation agricultural practice through creating maize hybrids and varieties with greater adaptability and improvement of agrotechnic measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize crops occupy an important place in world food security. However, different conditions, such as abiotic stress factors, can affect the productivity of these crops, requiring technologies that facilitate their monitoring. One such technology is spectroscopy, which measures the energy reflected and emitted by a surface along the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectral data can help to identify abiotic factors in plants, since the spectral signature of vegetation has discriminating features associated with the plant's health condition. This paper introduces a spectral library captured on maize crops under different nitrogen-deficiency stress levels. The datasets will be of potential interest to researchers, ecologists, and agronomists seeking to understand the spectral features of maize under nitrogen-deficiency stress. The library includes three datasets captured at different growth stages of 10 tropical maize genotypes. The spectral signatures collected were in the visible to near-infrared range (450–950 nm). The data were pre-processed to reduce noise and anomalous signatures. This study presents a spectral library of the effects of nitrogen deficiency on ten maize genotypes, highlighting that some genotypes show tolerance to this type of stress at different phenological stages. Most of the evaluated genotypes showed discriminate spectral features 4–6 weeks after sowing. Higher reflectance was obtained at approximately 550 nm for the lowest nitrogen fertilization treatments. Finally, we describe some potential applications of the spectral library of maize leaves under nitrogen-deficiency stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the effect of meteorological factors such as rainfall, temperature, sunshine, wind speed, and relative humidity on the yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) at different growth stages in Togo's Plateau, Central, and Savannah regions. For this purpose, data from 1990 to 2019 on weather variables and maize and sorghum yields were used. The study applied Fisher's meteorological regression and Chebyshev polynomial function. Our findings revealed that rainfall had a more beneficial than detrimental effect on maize and sorghum yield across stages and regions. Contrariwise, temperature influence was as beneficial as detrimental and more significant across all growth stages of maize and sorghum in the Savannah and Plateau regions. Furthermore, the sunshine effect on maize yield was more significant in the Central and Savannah regions, while negative on sorghum yield in all the growth stages in the Central region. Similarly, the wind speed was also beneficial and detrimental to maize and sorghum yields, although it was more significant for sorghum in Plateau and Savannah regions. Lastly, relative air humidity positively and negatively influenced maize and sorghum yields in all the growth stages and regions for maize and the Plateau and Savannah regions for sorghum. Therefore, there is a need for real-time agricultural meteorological information to help farmers plan crop production more efficiently and increase crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the most widely cultivated crops across the world due to its high importance in animal feeding, human nutrition, and many industrial processes. Fertilization is a key component of any crop production system and it is one of the technological elements where improvement is always searched. Foliar fertilization is an effective way to treat nutrient deficiency, to improve plant nutrition status and to help plants surpass stress periods. Foliar biostimulators are important for giving the possibility to stimulate plant metabolism and enhance plant protection mechanisms. Starting from these ideas, the aim of this paper is to present the results of the research focused on studying the effect of different combinations of classic macro & micro nutrient foliar fertilizers (Basfoliar 36 Extra, Foliar Extra, Vertex Hi-N 34, Maize Extra, Manzinc SC), or of one classic foliar fertilizer combined with one algae based biostimulator (Seamaxx SL) under different base fertilization conditions in irrigated hybrid seed maize production. The research has been conducted for 3 years in irrigated field plots in the pedo-climatic conditions of NE Romania. The obtained results brought to attention the positive effects of foliar fertilizers in hybrid seed production: increased plant height, better foliage development, better tassel development in terms of size and longer pollen shedding time, and finally a yield enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize is one of the globally most important cereal crops used for food, feed and fuel. It requires optimum soil nutrients such as Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) for proper growth and development as well as for tolerance to biotic and other abiotic stresses. Yield potentials are not met under suboptimal soil fertility. One of the innovations that can reduce environmental impacts of continuous fertilization and lower the cost of maize production under low soil nutrient conditions is the development and use of tolerant cultivars. This paper provides spotlights on the following: (1) morphology and physiology of root and shoot systems; (2) genetics and genomics; and (3) transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome profiles, to elucidate maize tolerance to low amounts of soil nutrients, N, P, and K. Maize cultivars having deeper rooting structure, more lateral roots, dense roots, and high root exudates are more tolerant to N, P, and K limited conditions. Cultivars that are tolerant to N, P, and K stress (low) have high nutrient use efficiency, good photosynthetic and translocation activity that support high aboveground shoot weight under suboptimal N, P, and K conditions. Maize tolerance to N, P, and K stress (low) is quantitative, and mainly controlled by additive genes. Maize cultivar development and dissemination programs can exploit the mechanisms highlighted in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effect of mineral fertilizers and waste lignite, the latter applied to the preceding crop, on the enzymatic activity of soil. The research was conducted between 2014 and 2016 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of the Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Zawady (Poland). The following treatment combinations were involved: 1—control; 2—NPKMgS; 3—NPKMgS + 20 N; 4—NPKMgS + 40 N; 5—NPKMgS + 60 N. Three varieties of maize grown for silage constituted the second research factor. Mineral fertilizers were applied at the following doses (pre-sowing): N-100, P-35, K-125, Mg-12 and S-14 kg ha−1. Nitrogen was additionally applied as top dressing with 3, 4, and 5 treatment combinations at 20, 40, and 60 kg ha−1. Waste lignite was applied to the preceding crop on two plots (3 and 4), in 1 and 5 t ha−1 doses. In the subsequent years, the significantly highest content of soil organic carbon was recorded on the NPKMgS + 60 N plot (1.12%; 0.98% and 1.16%). With 49.25 and 51.95 mg NH4-N h–1 kg–1 DM, urease activity in the soil treated with NPKMgS + 20 N and NPKMgS + 40 N was 56.95% and 65.55% higher than in the control plot soil. Throughout the experimental years, acid phosphatase activity did not vary much and amounted to 3.51–3.53 mmol PNP h–1 kg–1 DM. Mineral fertilizers significantly increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase and dehydrogenases in relation to the control. To ensure the high enzymatic activity of the soil and a high biochemical index of soil fertility, pre-sowing fertilizers at the level of 100 kg N, 35 kg P, 125 kg K, 12 kg Mg, and 14 kg S per hectare and top dressing of 20 kg N or 40 kg N per hectare are recommended. At the same time, it is advisable to use 1 t ha–1 or 5 t ha–1 of waste lignite of low energy value on the preceding crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]