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Localized application of NH4 +-N plus P at the seedling and later growth stages enhances nutrient uptake and maize yield by inducing lateral root proliferation

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Abstract

Background and aims

Localized supply of P plus ammonium improves root-proliferation and nutrient-uptake by maize (Zea mays L.) at seedling stage, but it is largely unknown how localized supply of nutrients at both early and late stages influences maize-growth, nutrient-uptake and grain-yield.

Methods

A 2-year field experimentation with maize was conducted with localized application of P plus ammonium as diammonium phosphate (LDAP) or ammonium sulfate plus P (LASP) at sowing or jointing stage, with broadcast urea and P (BURP) or no nitrogen (F0) as controls.

Results

Localized supply of P plus ammonium significantly increased root-proliferation, shoot dry-weight and nutrient-uptake at seedling stage. The positive effect disappeared at 53 days after sowing. However, plant-growth and nutrient-uptake increased again after the second localized application of P plus ammonium at jointing. The density and average length of the first-order lateral roots in local patches increased by 50 % in LDAP and LASP compared with F0 and BURP. Maize-yield increased by 8–10 % compared with BURP. Agronomic N efficiency and N-use efficiency increased by 41–48 % and 25–57 % compared with the BURP.

Conclusions

It is suggested that enhanced root-proliferation in the nutrient-rich patches with localized supply of ammonium and P at sowing and jointing stages is essential for improving nutrient-uptake and ultimately grain-yield.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30925024, 30871591), the innovative group grant of the NSFC (31121062), Chinese Universities Scientific Fund (No. 2012YJ044) and Beijing Natural Science Foundation (6122021). We thank Prof. V. Römheld (The University of Hohenheim, Germany) and Prof. C. Tang (La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia) for their comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Resources, Environmental and Food Security, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, No. 2 Yuan-ming-yuan West Road, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Qinghua Ma, Fusuo Zhang & Jianbo Shen

  2. Soil Science & Plant Nutrition, School of Earth and Environment, The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Zed Rengel

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  1. Qinghua Ma
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  2. Fusuo Zhang
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  3. Zed Rengel
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Correspondence to Jianbo Shen.

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Responsible Editor: Peter J. Gregory.

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Ma, Q., Zhang, F., Rengel, Z. et al. Localized application of NH4 +-N plus P at the seedling and later growth stages enhances nutrient uptake and maize yield by inducing lateral root proliferation. Plant Soil 372, 65–80 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1735-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1735-8

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