Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is considered one of the most important grains in the world. Straw return has the effect of reducing soil bulk density and increasing soil porosity. Straw returning and potassium fertilizer can supplement soil potassium content. The improvement of soil structure and the optimization of soil nutrient levels provide a good environment for high yield and high efficiency of maize. Therefore, three field experiments were carried out over a three-year period (2018–2020) to study the effects of straw returning on photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and yield of maize 'Xianyu 335' under two different fertilization methods and four potassium application levels. The results showed that straw returning and potassium application had significant effects on the above indicators. The above indicators were significantly improved by deep tillage straw returning compared with no tillage straw returning. Increasing potassium supply can promote the effect of straw returning. The photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and yield parameters of maize treated with straw returning and deep tillage combined with 60 kg/hm2 potassium fertilizer (SFK60) reached the highest in the three harvest seasons. The corn planting profit of SFK45 treatment is the highest, which is $1868.92 per ha. Therefore, SFK45 is an effective way to ensure stable and high yield of corn and maximize farmers' income.
Highlights
Maize is consumed as an important strategic material with multiple significant values such as grain, economy, feed, and e nergy[1]
The decomposition rate of straw was slow during straw mulching, so the effect of straw mulching combined with potassium fertilizer was not as good as that of straw deep plowing combined with potassium fertilizer25. Zhao[26] considered that the interaction between straw return and potassium fertilizer was the best potassium fertilizer management mode to achieve a high yield of maize
We tested (1) how different straw return methods and potassium fertilization levels influenced maize photosynthesis, dry matter, and yield? (2) What was the best treatment for obtaining a high yield? (3) What was the best method for maximizing the income of farmers? (4) Whether the effects of the treatments varied among the three years? The information generated in this study will be helpful to select the best agricultural measure that can maintain a high yield and obtain the maximum profit
Summary
Maize is consumed as an important strategic material with multiple significant values such as grain, economy, feed, and e nergy[1]. Straw return with deep tillage is one of the most important agricultural management measures to break soil plow bottom and improve sowing quality to increase maize photosynthesis and y ield[17]. Standardizing straw returning methods and potassium supply will become a significant measure for high maize yield. The basis on previous studies, we conducted the field experiments for three years to determine the effects of straw return and potassium supply on maize photosynthesis, dry matter, and yield in the Tumochuan Plain irrigation area in Midwestern Inner Mongolia of China. The main objective of this study was to understand how different straw return methods and potassium fertilization levels could influence maize growth and yield. We tested (1) how different straw return methods and potassium fertilization levels influenced maize photosynthesis, dry matter, and yield? We tested (1) how different straw return methods and potassium fertilization levels influenced maize photosynthesis, dry matter, and yield? (2) What was the best treatment for obtaining a high yield? (3) What was the best method for maximizing the income of farmers? (4) Whether the effects of the treatments varied among the three years? The information generated in this study will be helpful to select the best agricultural measure that can maintain a high yield and obtain the maximum profit
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