Effect of magnesium fertilizer combined with straw return on nitrogen use efficiency. (21st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Meiling; Geng, Yuhui; Cao, Guojun; Zou, Xin; Qi, Xinyuan; Stephano, Mabagala Frank
• Is Part Of: Agronomy Journal. Volume 113:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2020-12-21
• Subjects: Agronomy -- Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.1002/agj2.20483
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-1962

Abstract

Abstract: Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has great significance for agriculture sustainable development and reducing environmental pollution. The effects of Mg fertilizer combined with straw return on yield, N uptake, and NUE of spring maize ( Zea mays L.) were investigated for two consecutive years. The treatments included JM3 (straw + magnesium fertilizer), JM0 (straw + no magnesium fertilizer), WM3 (no straw + magnesium fertilizer), and WM0 (no magnesium fertilizer + no straw). The application of Mg fertilizer significantly improved yield. The application of straw and Mg fertilizer together improved yield even more significantly; the grain yield of the JM3 treatment was 5.28% higher than that of the WM0 treatments. The highest total N uptake was obtained from the JM3. Nitrogen remobilization from vegetation organs to grain was highest in the JM3 treatment. The agronomic efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen (AEN), recovery of applied fertilizer nitrogen (REN), partial factor productivity of fertilizer nitrogen (PFPN), and nitrogen harvest index (NHI) responded significantly to straw return and Mg fertilizer. The AEN, REN, PFPN, and NHI values for the JM3 treatment were 15.35, 24.63, 5.28, and 2.31% higher on average, respectively, than those for the WM0 treatments. Generally, these outcomes indicated that there was an interaction between Mg fertilizer and maize straw. The application of Mg fertilizer with straw return significantly improved the grain yield, N uptake, and NUE of maize plants. The combination of straw return and Mg application is a practical method for increasing maize production and supporting sustainable agriculture. Core Ideas: Spring maize yield was increased by 5.28% after applying Mg fertilizer with straw return. Magnesium fertilizer combined with straw return increased the accumulation of N by 7.87%. Magnesium fertilizer combined with straw return can improve the efficiency of N utilization. Magnesium combined with straw return is practical to improve yield and agriculture sustainable.