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Combining Straw Mulch with Nitrogen Fertilizer Improves Soil and Plant Physio-Chemical Attributes, Physiology, and Yield of Maize in the Semi-Arid Region of China.
- Source :
- Plants (2223-7747); Sep2023, Vol. 12 Issue 18, p3308, 19p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Mulching and nitrogen (N) fertilization are the main drivers for sustainable crop production. The sole use of nitrogen fertilizer threatened both the physiology and production of maize in rain-fed areas. Therefore, we proposed that wheat straw mulching with N fertilization would increase maize yield by improving soil fertility, physiology, and nitrogen use efficiency. A two-year field study evaluated the effects of CK (control), N (nitrogen application at 172 kg ha<superscript>−1</superscript>), HS (half wheat straw mulch, 2500 kg ha<superscript>−1</superscript>), HS+N (half wheat straw, 2500 kg ha<superscript>−1</superscript> plus 172 kg N ha<superscript>−1</superscript>), FS (full wheat straw, 5000 kg ha<superscript>−1</superscript>), and FS+N (full wheat straw, 5000 kg ha<superscript>−1</superscript> plus 172 kg N ha<superscript>−1</superscript>) on maize growth, physiology, and biochemistry. Compared with the control, the FS+N treatment resulted in the increase of 56% photosynthetic efficiency, 9.6% nitrogen use efficiency, 60% nitrogen uptake, 80% soluble sugar, 59% starches, 48% biomass, and 29% grain yield of maize. In addition, the FS+N regime increased 47%, 42%, and 106% of soil organic carbon and available P and N content in comparison with the control. Maize grain and biomass yields were positively correlated with N uptake, photosynthesis, soil organic carbon, and soil available N and P contents. Conclusively, the use of wheat straw at 5000 kg ha<superscript>−1</superscript>, along with 172 kg N ha<superscript>−1</superscript>, is a promising option for building a sustainable wheat–maize cropping system to achieve optimal crop yield and improved plant and soil health in a semi-arid region of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- ARID regions
NITROGEN fertilizers
CORN
WHEAT straw
CROPPING systems
STRAW
PLATEAUS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 22237747
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 18
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Plants (2223-7747)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 172414840
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183308