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Differences between Maize Cultivars in Yield Formation, Nitrogen Uptake and associated Depletion of Soil Nitrate
Author(s) -
Wiesler F.,
Horst W. J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-037x.1992.tb01003.x
Subject(s) - cultivar , agronomy , shoot , dry matter , nitrate , stover , chemistry , nitrogen , leaching (pedology) , zoology , field experiment , biology , soil water , ecology , organic chemistry
In a 3‐year field experiment conducted on a Gleyic Luvisol in Stuttgart‐Hohenheim, ten maize cultivars (nine commercial and one experimental hybrid) were compared in their ability to utilize a high soil nitrogen (N) supply. Total N content of the shoots at about silage maturity ranged from 213 to 328 kg N ha −1 (1986), from 177 to 223 kg N ha −1 (1987) and from 185 to 226 kg N ha −1 (1988). In all three experimental years, total shoot N uptake was significantly positively correlated to stover yield, and also to N concentrations in the ears and in the total plant dry matter. In contrast, a negative correlation between ear yields of the cultivars and total N uptake was indicated. Differences between the cultivars in N uptake were reflected in a corresponding soil nitrate depletion. At harvest, residual nitrate‐N in the 0–90 cm soil layer ranged from 34–63 kg N ha −1 m 1987 and 32–71 kg N ha −1 in 1988. The results indicate, that growing of cultivars selected for high N uptake‐capactiy of the shoots may contribute to an increased utilization of a high soil N supply and thus to a reduction of nitrate leaching.