Enhance Maize Yield Research Articles

Effects of PBAT/PLA biodegradable film mulching on greenhouse gas emissions in rain-fed maize farmland of Northeast China

Plastic film mulching can effectively increase soil temperature, retain moisture, and enhance crop yield and quality. However, long-term application might pose risks of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and residual film pollution. Biodegradable film provides a crucial solution to alleviate farmland plastic pollution, but it remains unclear whether biodegradable film can simultaneously enhance crop yields and reduce GHG emissions. Thus, a two-year field experiment was conducted in rain-fed maize farmland of Northeast China. This field experiment included four treatments: BM1 (0.006 mm-thick biodegradable film), BM2 (0.010 mm-thick biodegradable film), PM (0.010 mm-thick traditional plastic film), and CK (non-mulching control). Results indicated that film mulching increased cumulative CO2 emissions by improving soil temperature and moisture. BM1 and BM2 achieved lower cumulative CO2 emissions than PM. N2O emissions were mainly concentrated in the emergence and jointing stages, whose peaks and cumulative values were reduced by film mulching. BM1 and BM2, however, had higher cumulative N2O emissions than PM. All treatments were CH4 sinks, and mulching treatments showed low soil CH4 absorption compared to CK. Additionally, mulching treatments increased maize yield, GWP and GHGI by 4.19 % to 15.89 %, 8.52 % to 52.20 % and − 0.06 % to 45.93 %, respectively, compared to CK. PM showed the highest GWP and GHGI. All mulching treatments improved the net ecosystem economic budget, with increases of 3.03–3.08 thousand CNY ha−1 and 0.35–1.39 thousand CNY ha−1 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, compared to CK. Biodegradable film treatments had higher net ecosystem economic budgets than traditional plastic film treatment. Overall, the biodegradable film can be used to replace traditional plastic film to enhance maize yield while minimizing residual film pollution and GHG emissions in the experimental region.

Enhancing productivity and profitability of spring maize (Zea mays) in Uttarakhand's Tarai region through effective weed management practices and irrigation scheduling

A field experiment was conducted during the spring seasons of 2022 and 2023 at Norman E Borlaug Crop Research Centre, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to enhance maize yield and profitability. The experiment was conducted a split-plot design (SPD) with two irrigation scheduling treatments, viz. irrigation applied at an IW/CPE ratio of 0.8 (I1); and 1.2 (I2) in main plot and 8 weed management treatments, viz. W1, atrazine 1000 g/ha; W2, tembotrione 120 g/ha; W3, topramezone 25.2 g/ha; W4, atrazine 1000 g/ ha followed by hand-weeding at 35 DAS (days after sowing); W5, atrazine 1000 g/ha followed by tembotrione 120 g/ha; W6, atrazine 1000 g/ha followed by topramezone 25.2 g/ha; W7, weed-free; and W8, weedy check in sub-plots. Irrigation applied at IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 significantly improved the maize productivity and profitability, yielding higher net returns (₹66,206.9/ha) and grain yield (6.1 t/ha). Among the herbicidal treatments, atrazine 1000 g/ha followed by topramezone 25.2 g/ha recorded the highest weed control efficiency (80%) and maize grain yield (6.3 t/ ha). The percentage net monetary return was in the following sequence: W6 (100%) > W7 (92.4%) > W5 (91.8%) > W4 (89.6%) > W3 (81.5%) > W2 (78.2%) > W1 (67.6%) > W8 (46.4%). The percentage gain in grain yield was recorded in the following sequence: W7 (100%) > W6 (91.4%) > W5 (87.4%) > W4 (86.4%) > W3 (84.1%) > W2 (81.1%) > W1 (71.5%) > W8 (52.5%). In conclusion, optimizing irrigation to IW/CPE ratio of 1.2 and employing weed management practice atrazine (1000 g/ha) followed by topramezone (25.2 g/ha) application, can significantly enhance spring maize yield, weed control efficiency and economic returns in Uttarakhand's Tarai region.

Effects of Irrigation Amount and Salinity Levels on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth, Water Productivity and Carbon Emissions in Arid Region of Northwest China

To address the growing scarcity of freshwater resources, the use of saline water for agricultural irrigation is gaining increasing attention. This study presents findings from a two-year field experiment conducted during the 2023 and 2024 maize-growing seasons in northwestern China. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the main and interactive effects of saline irrigation water on soil water–salt dynamics, maize growth, photosynthetic characteristics, water productivity, and carbon emissions. The experiment involved nine treatments with three irrigation amounts: 4500 m3 hm−2 (W1), 5625 m3 hm−2 (W2), and 6750 m3 hm−2 (W3), combined with three water salinity levels: 0.85 g L−1 (S1, freshwater), 3 g L−1 (S2), and 5 g L−1 (S3). Results indicated that both irrigation amount and salinity level significantly affected water–salt dynamics, with more soil accumulating in the 0–100 cm soil layer under saline irrigation water; however, this effect diminished with higher irrigation amounts. The maximum leaf area index and plant height were affected by both the irrigation amount and salinity level, as well as their interaction. Photosynthetic capacity declined with increasing salinity of the irrigation water, ultimately reducing grain yield and irrigation water use efficiency. Compared to freshwater (S1), the average maize grain yield under S2 and S3 treatments decreased by 6.28% and 15.43% in 2023 and by 7.82% and 17.48% in 2024, respectively. Additionally, for the same irrigation amount, higher salinity of the irrigation water (S2, S3) significantly reduced total soil CO2 emissions, with reductions of 10.08% and 27.53% in 2023, and 11.97% and 28.01% in 2024, respectively. In summary, to optimize the utilization of saline water, enhance maize yield, and improve soil carbon sequestration, we recommend maintaining the salinity of irrigation water below 3 g L−1, and using an irrigation amount of 6750 m3 hm−2 (W3S2) for optimal outcomes in the study area.

Optimizing Plant Spacing to Enhance Maize Yield

The impact of plant spacing on maize yield is crucial for optimizing agronomic practices and improving productivity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different plant spacings on the yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) variety BARI Maize-5. This study evaluates four plant spacings: 75 cm × 25 cm, 75 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 25 cm, and 60 cm × 20 cm. in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results demonstrated that plant spacing significantly affects maize yield attributes and overall yield. The 75 cm × 25 cm spacing produced the highest number of cobs plant-1 (1.44), grains cob-1 (530.39), thousand-grain weight (131.85 g), grain yield (5.18 t ha-1), and harvest index (41.14%). In contrast, the 60 cm × 20 cm spacing resulted in the lowest values for grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield. It may be recommended that optimizing plant spacing is vital for maximizing maize yield, with the 75 cm × 25 cm spacing being most effective for cultivating maize cv. BARI Maize-5.

Growth and yield responses of maize to different tillage practices and straw incorporation under different levels of gypsum in a saline-sodic soil

Soil salinity is one of the significant issues in crop production and its adverse effects have been noticed at various stages of a crop life cycle therefore to assess the remedies for mitigation of soil salinity, the present study was conducted in Khipro district, Sanghar, Sindh, Pakistan during 2018-19. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), to evaluate the growth and yield responses of maize to different tillage practices and straw incorporation under different levels of gypsum in a saline-sodic soil. The factorial study was consisted of three factors including: Tillage practices (shallow tillage [ST] and deep tillage [DT], Wheat straw incorporation (3, 7, and 10 ton. ha-1) and gypsum rates (13.5, 9 and 4.5-ton ha-1). The comparative results showed that Deep Tillage DT with wheat straw incorporation at 10-ton ha-1 (DTWS10) had significantly higher result in term of growth and yield traits followed by shallow tillage ST at 10-ton ha-1 (STWS10). Moreover, the lowest results regard growth and yield attributes were observed in Shallow tillage ST with no wheat straw incorporation (STCK) Additionally, It was also observed that gypsum application did not have significant effect (P > 0.05) on maize growth and yield, but it mitigated soil salinity and sodicity, contributing to improved crop growth and yield. Therefore, incorporating straw into saline-sodic soils can significantly (P < 0.05) enhance maize yield and its attributes, with notable effects observed after two years of treatment.

Optimizing split-fertilizer applications for enhanced maize yield and nutrient use efficiency in Nigeria's Middle-belt

Inadequate and imbalanced fertilizer application is a significant barrier to achieving higher maize yields in Nigeria's Middle Belt. This study hypothesized that optimizing fertilizer types and application rates, particularly through split applications of straight fertilizers, can significantly enhance maize yield and nutrient use efficiency compared to conventional NPK blends and farmer's practices. This experiment evaluated the effects of optimizing types and amounts of fertilizer on maize growth and yield, soil characteristics, and nutrient use efficiencies in the mid-belt region of Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at two locations using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included national and regional fertilizer recommendations, applied as NPK blends and straight fertilizers, along with a farmer's practice and control. Soil samples were collected before and after the experiment, and data on yield, yield attributes, grain, and leaf samples, were collected for analysis. The results showed that split applications of straight fertilizers increased grain yield by 22 %–46 %, achieving yields ranging from 2.37 to 3.08 t ha−1, compared to yields from NPK blends. Nitrogen uptake efficiency improved by up to 52 %, while potassium uptake exceeded 100 % in certain treatments. Despite higher input costs, split applications yielded gross margins up to 35 % greater than those obtained with NPK blends, underscoring their economic viability. Split application of regional recommendation of 119:38:20 kg ha−1 of N, P, and K from straight fertilizer shows higher yields and better nutrient efficiency than NPK blends, proving effective for optimum maize production in the region. No significant changes in soil physio-chemical properties, suggesting that long-term studies are needed to fully understand the impact of fertilizer practices on soil health. These findings strongly support the adoption of site-specific nutrient management strategies, particularly the use of straight fertilizers in split applications, to maximize maize production in Nigeria's Middle-Belt.

Optimum management strategy for improving maize water productivity and partial factor productivity for nitrogen in China: A meta-analysis

China’s agricultural production suffers significant constraints due to low water productivity (WP) and partial factor productivity for nitrogen (PFPN). The pivotal solution to enhance maize yield, WP, and PFPN is through optimizing field management practices. However, previous studies primarily focused on the effects of individual or coupled field management practices on maize yield, WP, or PFPN in an area or land mass, so it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various field management practices on maize yield, WP, and PFPN at the national scale. In this study, we compiled 286 studies encompassing 6959 pairs of experimental data spanning from 1990 to 2023. Meta-analysis was conducted to observe the variations in maize yield, WP, and PFPN across diverse field management practices (straw returning, nitrogen fertilizer application, irrigation practice, and tillage practice) on a national scale. The results showed that nitrogen fertilizer application (215 kg N ha−1) was the most effective in enhancing maize yield and WP by 68.1 % and 54.8 %, respectively. Additionally, irrigation had the most substantial impact on PFPN, enhancing 16.8 %. Straw mulching, application of slow and controlled release fertilizers, drip irrigation, and subsoiling were identified as the most effective practices in increasing maize yield, WP, and PFPN by Random forest model. Maize straw returning could reduce nitrogen fertilizer application by 20 kg ha−1, while increasing WP and PFPN by 4.2 % and 11.6 %, respectively. Moreover, straw returning could reduce water consumption by 23–60 mm, while increasing WP and PFPN by 2.9 % and 6.8 %, respectively. These findings can provide a reference for the formulation of comprehensive management strategies for sustainable maize production in China and globally.

Optimizing sowing dates and nitrogen levels for enhanced maize yield and growth in kharif seasons over Terai region of Uttarakhand

Optimizing sowing dates and nitrogen levels for enhanced maize yield and growth in kharif seasons over Terai region of Uttarakhand

Improving hydrological modeling to close the gap between elevated CO2 concentration and crop response: Implications for water resources

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ([CO2]) affect crop growth and the associated hydrological cycle through physiological forcing, which is mainly regulated by reducing stomatal conductance (gs) and increasing leaf area index (LAI). However, reduced gs and increased LAI can affect crop water consumption, and the overall effects need to be quantified under elevated [CO2]. Here we develop a SWAT-gs-LAI model by incorporating a nonlinear gs-CO2 equation and a missing LAI-CO2 relationship to investigate the responses of water consumption of grain maize, maize yield, and losses of water and soil to elevated [CO2] in the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMRB; 492,000 km2). Results exhibited enhanced maize yield with decreased water consumption for increases in [CO2] from 495 ppm to 825 ppm during the historical period (1985–2014). Elevated [CO2] promoted surface runoff but suppressed sediment loss as the predominant impact of LAI-CO2 leading to enhanced surface cover. A comprehensive analysis of future climate change showed increased maize water consumption in comparison to the historical period, driven by the more pronounced effects of overall climate change rather than solely elevated [CO2]. Generally, future climate change promoted maize yield in most regions of the UMRB for three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. Surface runoff was shown to increase generally in the future with sediment loss increasing by an average of 0.39, 0.42, and 0.66 ton ha-1 for SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, and SSP5–8.5, respectively. This was due to negative climatic change effects largely surpassing the positive effect of elevated [CO2], particularly in zones near the middle and lower stream. Our results underscore the crucial role of employing a physically-based model to represent crop physiological processes under elevated [CO2] conditions, improving the reliability of predictions related to crop growth and the hydrological cycle.

Differential regulation of belowground rhizospheric ecosystem by biological and chemical nitrogen supplies: implications for maize yield enhancement mechanisms.

Nitrogen (N) content affects aboveground maize growth and nutrient absorption by altering the belowground rhizospheric ecosystem, impacting both yield and quality. However, the mechanisms through which different N supply methods (chemical and biological N supplies) regulate the belowground rhizospheric ecosystem to enhance maize yield remain unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a field experiment in northeast China, comprising three treatments: maize monocropping without N fertilizer application (MM), maize/alfalfa intercropping without N fertilizer application (BNF), and maize monocropping with N fertilizer application (CNS). The MM treatment represents the control, while the BNF treatment represents the biological N supply form, and CNS treatment represents the chemical N supply form. In the autumn of 2019, samples of maize and rhizospheric soil were collected to assess parameters including yield, rhizospheric soil characteristics, and microbial indicators. Both BNF and MM significantly increased maize yield and different yield components compared with MM, with no statistically significant difference in total yield between BNF and CNS. Furthermore, BNF significantly improved N by 12.61% and available N (AN) by 13.20% compared with MM. Furthermore, BNF treatment also significantly increased the Shannon index by 1.90%, while the CNS treatment significantly increased the Chao1 index by 28.1% and ACE index by 29.49%, with no significant difference between CNS and BNF. However, CNS had a more pronounced impact on structure of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community compared to BNF, inducing more significant fluctuations within the microbial network (modularity index and negative cohesion index). Regarding N transformation pathways predicted by bacterial functions, BNF significantly increased the N fixation pathway, while CNS significantly increased assimilatory nitrate reduction. In CNS, AN, NO3-N, NH4-N, assimilatory nitrate reduction, and community structure contributed significantly to maize yield, whereas in BNF, N fixation, community structure, community stability, NO3-N, and NH4-N played significant roles in enhancing maize yield. While CNS and BNF can achieve comparable maize yields in practical agricultural production, they have significantly different impacts on the belowground rhizosphere ecosystem, leading to different mechanisms of yield enhancement.

No-tillage with total green manure incorporation: A better strategy to higher maize yield and nitrogen uptake in arid irrigation areas

The efficacy of integrating green manure in arid irrigation regions to enhance maize yield and nitrogen (N) uptake efficiency has been extensively explored. However, limited research has delineated the contribution of green manure N versus soil N on crop N utilization efficiency. This study integrated field experiments with micro-plot experiments to examine green manure (common vetch) management practices for achieving high maize yield and N uptake. In a micro-plot experiment, 15N technology was utilized to label green manure crops. Five treatments were applied in the research methodology: conventional tillage without green manure as the control (CT); tillage with total green manure incorporation (TG); no-tillage with total green manure mulching (NTG); tillage with only root incorporation (T); and no-tillage with removal of above-ground green manure (NT). The results in the micro-plot experiment were the same in the field, and both demonstrated that the utilization of green manure led to a substantial increase in maize yield and nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUPE) compared to conventional tillage (CT). In particular, under NTG, N uptake by maize from green manure was higher than NT and T, accounting for 59.1% of maize N uptake. Furthermore, the application of NTG boosted the NUPE of soil N in maize to 50.7%, which is higher than TG by 5.5%. Meanwhile, it decreased the proportion of soil N in the maize. The difference between NTG and TG was primarily shown in the maize grains. For N transport in the soil, NTG decreased N loss while increasing soil N retention. Also, it facilitated the mineralization of soil organic N before the flowering stage. In conclusion, the adoption of no-tillage with total green manure mulching not only increased N uptake both from green manure and the soil but also decreased the proportion of soil-derived N in maize.

The Efficacy of Organic Amendments on Maize Productivity, Soil Properties and Active Fractions of Soil Carbon in Organic-Matter Deficient Soil

The decline in soil productivity due to intensive cultivation, unbalanced fertilization and climate change are key challenges to future food security. There is no significant research conducted on the effect of organic amendments on soil properties and active carbon fractions in organic-matter deficient soils under changing climate. Biochar (BC) is a stabilized organic amendment produced from organic materials and is increasingly recognized as being able to improve soil health and crop productivity. The present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of compost (CM) (0.5%, 1%) (w/w) and animal manure (AM) (0.5%, 1%) (w/w) alone and combined with 3% (w/w) biochar, on soil carbon fractions, soil properties, and crop growth in a low-fertile soil. The results revealed significant increased 46% plant height, 106% and 114% fresh and dry shoot weight respectively, and 1,000-grain weight increased up to 40% when 3% BC with 1% CM was applied, compared to a control. Similarly, substantial increases in 69% soil organic matter, and 70% carbon pool index were observed at 3% BC, and under 3% BC with 1% CM increased 11% microbial biomass carbon compared to the control. Overall, the results suggest that 3% BC addition along with 1% CM and AM (1%) had greater potential to improve the soil carbon pool, microbial biomass, and soil health, all of which will ultimately enhance maize yield when grown in low-fertility soil. The application of BC, CM, and AM are a viable green approach, that not only boosts crop yields and improves soil properties and but also contributes to a circular economy.

Natural variations of heterosis-related allele-specific expression genes in promoter regions lead to allele-specific expression in maize

BackgroundHeterosis has successfully enhanced maize productivity and quality. Although significant progress has been made in delineating the genetic basis of heterosis, the molecular mechanisms underlying its genetic components remain less explored. Allele-specific expression (ASE), the imbalanced expression between two parental alleles in hybrids, is increasingly being recognized as a factor contributing to heterosis. ASE is a complex process regulated by both epigenetic and genetic variations in response to developmental and environmental conditions.ResultsIn this study, we explored the differential characteristics of ASE by analyzing the transcriptome data of two maize hybrids and their parents under four light conditions. On the basis of allele expression patterns in different hybrids under various conditions, ASE genes were divided into three categories: bias-consistent genes involved in basal metabolic processes in a functionally complementary manner, bias-reversal genes adapting to the light environment, and bias-specific genes maintaining cell homeostasis. We observed that 758 ASE genes (ASEGs) were significantly overlapped with heterosis quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and high-frequency variations in the promoter regions of heterosis-related ASEGs were identified between parents. In addition, 10 heterosis-related ASEGs participating in yield heterosis were selected during domestication.ConclusionsThe comprehensive analysis of ASEGs offers a distinctive perspective on how light quality influences gene expression patterns and gene-environment interactions, with implications for the identification of heterosis-related ASEGs to enhance maize yield.

Research on monitoring model for maize entrainment loss sensor applicable to different operating parameters

The entrainment loss monitoring sensor plays a very important role in the intelligent development process of maize combine harvester. However, traditional entrainment loss sensor does not adjust its monitoring ratio according to different working conditions of the harvester, resulting in poor adaptability of the sensor to different working environments. To address the above problems and to improve the applicability of the entrainment loss monitoring sensor, this study proposed a maize entrainment loss sensor monitoring model based on the optimal sensor installation location. The distribution law of threshed material below the threshing drum was investigated, and the optimal installation location of the two symmetrical sensors was determined to be x = 1.7 m along the axial direction of the drum and r1 = 0.1 m and r2 = 0.7 m along the radial direction of the drum. Based on the above, the threshing process was simulated and analyzed using the discrete element method (DEM). A proportional model between the monitoring values and the true values of entrainment loss under different working parameters was established using multiple linear regression algorithms, and the determination coefficients (R2) of the sensor monitoring model on both sides was 0.813 and 0.876, respectively. Finally, the proposed monitoring models were validated through tests, the results show that the accuracy of the entrainment loss sensors can reach above 85 % under different working parameter conditions of the threshing system. The research findings of this paper are of great significance to improve the applicability of maize entrainment loss sensors, which can provide reference for the intelligent control system of combine harvester and provide technical support to enhance maize yield.

Refined Evaluation of Climate Suitability of Maize at Various Growth Stages in Major Maize-Producing Areas in the North of China

The Northeast region of China and Huang Huai Hai (3H) region are vital maize production bases in northern China that are crucial for national food security. The absence of phenological data hinders a detailed assessment of the alignment between maize development stages and climatic resources. This study combines the authors’ maize phenology data with climate suitability modeling to evaluate maize’s climate suitability at different developmental stages in both regions. This study shows that during the maize growth cycle, the average temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and comprehensive climate suitability were 0.77, 0.49, 0.87, and 0.65, respectively, in the Northeast. In contrast, the average temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and comprehensive climate suitability in the 3H region were 0.98, 0.53, 0.73, and 0.70, respectively. Precipitation is a major factor influencing maize growth, with temperature and sunshine impacting growth differently across regions. Temperature significantly affects maize in the Northeast, while sunshine plays a greater role in the 3H region. The Northeast is suitable for drought-resistant maize varieties, and implementing a late harvest policy in Liaoning could enhance maize yield. The 3H region generally has favorable climatic conditions. Apart from certain parts of Henan needing drought-resistant varieties, areas with ample growing seasons can adopt long-duration varieties to maximize thermal resource utilization. Our results have important implications for optimizing maize planting strategies and enhancing regional resilience, aiming to assess meteorological factors’ impact on maize growth in key production areas.

Pyrolyzed and unpyrolyzed residues enhance maize yield under varying rates of application and fertilization regimes.

Biochar is increasingly gaining popularity due to its extensive recommendation as a potential solution for addressing the concerns of food security and climate change in agroecosystems, with biochar application for increased carbon sequestration, enhanced soil fertility, improved soil health, and increased crop yield and quality. There have been multiple studies on crop yield utilizing various biochar types and application amounts; however, none have focused on the influence of diverse biochar types at various pyrolysis temperatures with different application amounts and the integration of fertilizer regimes in maize crops. Therefore, a two-year factorial field experiment was designed in a temperate Himalayan region of India (THRI) to evaluate the residual effect of different biochar on maize yield under different pyrolysis temperatures, various application rates and fertilizer regimes. The study included three factors viz., amendment type (factor 1), rate of application (factor 2) and fertilizer regime (factor 3). Amendment type included 7 treatments: No biochar- control (A1), apple biochar @ 400°C pyrolysis temperature (A2), apple biochar @ 600°C pyrolysis temperature (A3), apple residue biomass (A4), dal weed biochar @ 400°C pyrolysis temperature (A5), dal weed biochar @ 600°C pyrolysis temperatures (A6), and dal weed residue biomass (A7). The rate of application included 3 levels: Low (L- 1 t ha-1), medium (M- 2 t ha-1), and high (H- 3 t ha-1). At the same time, the fertilizer regimes included 2 treatments: No fertilizer (N) and recommended dose of fertilizer (F). The results revealed that among the various amendment type, rate of application and fertilizer regimes, the A3 amendment, H rate of application and F fertilizer regime gave the best maize growth and productivity outcome. Results revealed that among the different pyrolyzed residues used, the A3 amendment had the highest plant height (293.87 cm), most kernels cob-1 (535.75), highest soil plant analysis development (SPAD) value (58.10), greatest cob length (27.36 cm), maximum cob girth (18.18 cm), highest grain cob yield (1.40 Mg ha-1), highest grain yield (4.78 Mg ha-1), higher test weight (305.42 gm), and highest stover yield (2.50 Mg ha-1). The maximum dry weight in maize and the number of cobs plant-1 were recorded with amendments A4 (14.11 Mg ha-1) and A6 (1.77), respectively. The comparatively 2nd year of biochar application than the 1st year, the H level of the rate of application than the L rate and the application and integration of the recommended dose of fertilizer in maize results in significantly higher values of growth and productivity in maize. Overall, these findings suggest that the apple biochar @ 600°C pyrolysis temperature (A3) at a high application rate with the addition of the recommended dose of fertilizer is the optimal biochar for enhancing the growth and productivity of maize in the THRI.

Rational phosphorus stewardship for sustainable maize production in China: A meta-analysis

Overuse of phosphorus (P) fertilizer in maize production in China is causing severe environmental pollution and cropping issues, requiring an integrative P fertilizer strategy that improves P use efficiency (PUE) and sustainable production. This meta-analysis on P fertilizer use for maize cropping in China used 786 paired observations to quantify the effects of P fertilizer management (P fertilizer variety, P application rate, application method) and different soil properties (pH, available P, organic matter) on grain yield, PUE, and the environmental cost. The mean maize grain yield of 8.86 t ha1 with a PUE of 97.2 kg kg1 and an environmental cost of 1.51 $ kg1. There was a linear plus plateau relationship between yield and P application rate under different soil available P and growing regions. No significant differences in yield increase occurred between P fertilizer type or P application rate, except for triple superphosphate and P application rate > 26 kg P ha1. Significant yield increases with P fertilizer application occurred on soil with pH< 7, 10–20 mg kg-1 soil available P, or > 30 g kg-1 organic matter content. Adopting optimized P fertilizer management in different regions not only enhanced maize yield by 23.3 % and PUE by 39.2 %, but also effectively reduced the P application rate by 12.4–34.1 % and the environmental cost by 24.3 %. Consequently, prioritizing suitable P fertilizer recommendation strategy will significantly benefit the pursuit of sustainable maize production in China and similar regions.

Selected conservation management strategies enhance maize yield stability in the sub-humid tropical agro-ecozone of Upper Eastern Kenya

Conservation management strategies have been recommended to enhance soil fertility, moisture retention, crop yield, and yield stability in rainfed agriculture. However, there is limited research on yield stability. We evaluated the effect of integrating soil inputs in conservation tillage on yield and yield stability in Meru South, Upper Eastern Kenya, for eleven consecutive cropping seasons. The trial treatments included conservation tillage without soil inputs (Mt), conservation tillage with soil inputs: sole inorganic fertilizer (F), residue + inorganic fertilizer (RF), residue + inorganic fertilizer + manure (RFM), residue + manure + legume Dolichos Lablab L. (RML), residue + Tithonia + manure (RTM), residue + Tithonia + phosphate rock (RTP) and conventional tillage (Control). Conservation tillage with RFM was the best-fit strategy for enhancing yields. There was heterogeneity in yield residual variance. A larger residual variance implied lesser yield stability. Mt treatment had the least yield residual variance of 0.12 Mg ha−2, followed by Ct and RML, 0.15 Mg ha−2, while RTM had the highest yield residual variance of 0.62 Mg ha−2. Contrarily, the most stable treatments had the least average yields. The study indicated a positive influence of incorporating soil inputs in conservation tillage on yield and suggests longer-term research for yield stability.

Combining slow-release fertilizer and plastic film mulching reduced the carbon footprint and enhanced maize yield on the Loess Plateau

Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production. Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region. Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity. Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas. However, the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage (SOCS), carbon footprint (CF), and economic benefits has received limited research attention. Therefore, we conducted an eight-year study (2015–2022) in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments [urea supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-U), slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching (CK-S), urea supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-U), and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching (PM-S)] on soil fertility, economic and environmental benefits. The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions (≥71.97%). Compared to other treatments, PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%–37.89%, water use efficiency by 9.19%–23.33%, nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%–66.19%, and net return by 6.21%–29.57%. Furthermore, PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%–44.31% and CF per net return by 14.25%–41.16%. After eight years, PM-S increased SOCS (0–40 cm) by 2.46%, while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%. These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility, economic gains, and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau, underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.

A Carbonic Anhydrase, ZmCA4, Contributes to Photosynthetic Efficiency andModulates CO2 Signaling Gene Expression by Interacting with Aquaporin ZmPIP2;6 inMaize.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) catalyzes the reversible CO2 hydration reaction that produces bicarbonate for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). This is the initial step for transmitting the CO2 signal in C4 photosynthesis. However, it remains unknown whether the maize (Zea mays L.) CA gene, ZmCA4, plays a role in the maize photosynthesis process. In our study, we found that ZmCA4 was relatively highly expressed in leaves and localized in the chloroplast and the plasma membrane of mesophyll protoplasts. Knock-out of ZmCA4 reduced CA activity, while overexpression of ZmCA4 increased rubisco activity, as well as the quantum yield and relative electron transport rate in photosystem II. Overexpression of ZmCA4 enhanced maize yield-related traits. Moreover, ZmCA4 interacted with aquaporin ZmPIP2;6 in bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. The double-knock-out mutant for ZmPIP2;6 and ZmCA4 genes showed reductions in its growth, CA and PEPC activities, assimilation rate and photosystem activity. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that the expression of other ZmCAs, ZmPIPs, as well as CO2 signaling pathway homologous genes, and photosynthetic-related genes was all altered in the double-knock-out mutant compared with the wild type. Altogether, our study's findings point to a critical role of ZmCA4 in determining photosynthetic capacity and modulating CO2 signaling regulation via its interaction with ZmPIP2;6, thus providing insight into the potential genetic value of ZmCA4 for maize yield improvement.