Response of grain yield to plant density and nitrogen rate in spring maize hybrids released from 1970 to 2010 in Northeast China

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the response of grain yield to plant density and nitrogen rate in spring maize hybrids released from 1970 to 2010 and grown extensively in Northeast China. Twenty-one hybrids were grown for 2years in Northeast China at densities of 30,000, 52,500, 75,000, and 97,500plantsha−1 and N application levels of 0, 150, 300, and 450kgNha−1. Irrespective of density or nitrogen application rate, grain yields both per plant and per unit area were significantly higher for newer than older hybrids. As plant density increased from 30,000 to 97,500plantha−1, yield per plant of 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s hybrids decreased by 50%, 45%, 46%, and 52%, respectively. The response of grain yield per unit area to plant density was curvilinear. The estimated optimum plant densities were about 58,000, 49,000, 65,000, and 65,000plantsha−1 for hybrids released in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, respectively. The theoretical optimum densities for the hybrids released from the 1970s to the 2000s increased by 1750plantsha−1 decade−1. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased grain yields per plant and per unit area for all hybrids. The theoretical optimum N application rates for high yield for hybrids released in the 1970s and 1980s were about 280 and 360kgha−1, and the hybrids from the 1990s and 2000s showed highest yield at 330kgha−1N. No significant difference in the grain yields of 2000s hybrids between the N levels of 150 to 450kgha−1 was found. Significant yield gains per plant and per unit area were found, with average increases of 17.9g plant−1 decade−1 and 936kgha−1 decade−1 over the period 1970–2010, respectively. Yield gains were attributed mainly to increased yield per plant, contributed by increases in kernel number per ear and 1000-kernel weight. The rates of lodging and barren plants of newer hybrids were significantly lower than those of older ones, especially at high plant density.