TITLE:
Effects of Different Nitrogen Applications on Soil Physical, Chemical Properties and Yield in Maize (Zea mays L.)
AUTHORS:
Heng Zhong, Qiao Wang, Xinhua Zhao, Qi Du, Yue Zhao, Xiaoguang Wang, Chunji Jiang, Shuli Zhao, Minjian Cao, Haiqiu Yu, Dawei Wang
KEYWORDS:
Maize, N Fertilizer Application, Yield, Soil Physical and Chemical Properties, N Content
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.5 No.14,
December
19,
2014
ABSTRACT: Application of
nitrogen (N) fertilizer is one of the most important approaches on improving maize
grain yield. However, as is known to all, overuse N fertilizer not only leads
to decline of N use efficiency and maize yield, but also leads to potential
risk to environment pollution. This experiment was conducted to determine the
effects of N fertilizer applications with nine different treatments on soil physical-chemical
characters and maize grain yield using hybrid variety Zhengdan 958 in 2011 and
2012. Results indicated that the soil bulk densities of T2 (CK) and
T1 were the lowest compared to other treatments in 2011 and 2012,
respectively, whereas the soil bulk density of T5 in 2011 and T3 in 2012 were higher than other treatments. The soil porosity and field capacity
of T5 in 2011 and T3 in 2012 were lower than other
treatments, but those of CK in 2011 and T1 in 2012 were higher than
other treatments. The pH values of T3 to T7 were lower
than other treatments. These results indicated that the soil bulk densities
were increased, whereas the soil porosity, field capacity and values pH were
decreased by N application at different stages. N application could increase
the N contents of leaf and stem, whereas less or excess N application should
not significant improve maize yield. Although the soil organic matter and total
N contents of T3 were the highest in both 2011 and 2012, the yield
of T4 is the highest in both 2011 and 2012. The application
amount, period and times of N fertilizer were important to maize yield.