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Maize plant nitrogen uptake dynamics at limited irrigation water and nitrogen

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Abstract

Knowledge of the dynamics of plant nitrogen (N) uptake at varying irrigation water levels is critical for strategizing increased N recovery efficiency (NRE), water use efficiency (WUE), and maize yield. The N dynamics were studied under various irrigation regimes to evaluate NRE, WUE, and maize yield. A pot experiment was conducted using three irrigation water regimes (50, 75, and 100% field capacity (FC)) and four N fertilizer rates (0, 1.6, 3.2, and 4.8 g pot−1) applied with two fertilizer application methods including foliar and soil applications. The highest plant growth and grain yields were achieved by application of 4.8 g N pot−1 with 100% FC. Contrarily, the maximum WUE (7.0 g L−1) was observed by the lowest irrigation water (50% FC) with the highest N fertilizer rates (4.8 g pot−1). Nitrogen concentration in the stem and grain was linearly increased by increasing N fertilizer rates with irrigation water. However, in the root, N concentration was decreased when the crop was supplied with 100% FC. In plant, maximum N uptake (6.5 mg g−1) was observed when 4.8 g N pot−1 was applied with 100% FC. Nitrogen recovery efficiency was increased by increasing N rate up to 3.2 g pot−1 with 100% FC. Therefore, for achieving maximum WUE and NRE, the highest water and N applications, respectively, are not necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan

    Hafiz Mohkum Hammad, Wajid Nasim & Hafiz Faiq Bakhat

  2. AgWeatherNet, Washington State University, Prosser, WA, 99350, USA

    Hafiz Mohkum Hammad

  3. Department of Agronomy, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, 90150, Pakistan

    Wajid Farhad

  4. Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Farhat Abbas

  5. College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China

    Shah Fahad

  6. Department of Entomology, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef Agriculture University, Multan, Pakistan

    Shafqat Saeed

  7. CIHEAM-Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier (IAMM), 3191 route de Mende, 34090, Montpellier, France

    Wajid Nasim

  8. CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture, National Research Flagship, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia

    Wajid Nasim

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  1. Hafiz Mohkum Hammad
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  2. Wajid Farhad
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Correspondence to Shah Fahad or Wajid Nasim.

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Hammad, H.M., Farhad, W., Abbas, F. et al. Maize plant nitrogen uptake dynamics at limited irrigation water and nitrogen. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 2549–2557 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8031-0

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