Abstract
ABSTRACTExcessive nitrogen application has caused serious environmental pollution under high-yield maize system in China. Our objective was to evaluate critical stalk nitrate (NO3−) levels that support high yield (>13 Mgha−1), but are not in excess. Optimal stalk NO3− concentration was determined by conducting seven nitrogen levels experiments in two high yield maize regions: Dongyang County (DY) and Wenshui County (WS). Optimal stalk NO3− concentration category range to obtain maximum yield in DY (sandy loam, higher accumulated temperature and solar radiation compared with WS) was 0.44–1.19, which similar to the criteria of US (0.70–2.0 g kg−1). While for WS (loam soil, lower accumulated temperature and solar radiation compared with DY), optimal stalk NO3− concentration category range to obtain maximum yield was 1.95–4.15, greatly higher than the US criteria. These results suggested thatit is necessary to establish matching optimal stalk NO3− category ranges for different ecological regions in China.
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