Effects of Different Nitrogen Applications on Soil Physical, Chemical Properties and Yield in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Heng Zhong^1*, Qiao Wang¹, Xinhua Zhao¹, Qi Du¹, Yue Zhao¹, Xiaoguang Wang¹, Chunji Jiang¹, Shuli Zhao¹, Minjian Cao¹, Haiqiu Yu¹, Dawei Wang²

¹College of Agronomy, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China.
²Corn Research Institute, Liaoning Academy of Agriculture Science, Shenyang, China.

DOI: 10.4236/as.2014.514155                

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.

Keywords

Maize, N Fertilizer Application, Yield, Soil Physical and Chemical Properties, N Content

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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