Silicon accumulation, partitioning and remobilization in spring maize (Zea mays L.) under silicon supply with straw return in Northeast China

Abstract

Appropriate nutrient management practices are the determinant factors for maintaining good plant growth and development. The combination of inorganic fertilizers and straw may affect soil available micronutrients. The goals of this study were to determine the effects of Si fertilizers under straw return conditions on Si accumulation, partitioning, and remobilization in spring maize (Zea mays L.). A two-year field trial was conducted to investigate Si content accumulation and remobilization in spring maize under straw return conditions in Jilin Province. We evaluated Si accumulation and remobilization using four treatments: JS3 (straw return + 45 kg/hm2 silicon), WS3 (no straw return + 45 kg/hm2 silicon), JS0 (straw return + no silicon) and WS0 (no straw return + no silicon).The experimental results showed that the highest Si accumulation stage in maize occurred between the VT and R2 stages. The JS3 treatment accumulated 20.8% and 32.1% more Si, on average, than did the WS3 and WS0 treatments, respectively, at this stage. Different organs showed the same accumulation trend as the whole maize plant, but the Si remobilization amounts in distinct organs were the highest in the WS0 treatment. The total Si contribution to the grain in the WS0 treatment was 42.2% and 104.6% higher, on average, than those in the WS3 and JS3 treatments, respectively.This outcome showed that silicon fertilizer application could significantly increase silicon accumulation in maize plants and organs. Silicon fertilizer combined with straw returning not only further increased silicon accumulation but also reduced Si remobilization from the vegetative organs.