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Nitrogen Fertilizer and Protein, Lipid, and Non‐structural Carbohydrate Concentrations During the Course of Maize Kernel Filling
Author(s) -
Zhang Feng,
Mackenzie A. F.,
Smith D. L.
Publication year - 1994
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.1994.tb00163.x
Subject(s) - fertilizer , carbohydrate , urea , nitrogen , zoology , nitrate , ammonium nitrate , chemistry , agronomy , ammonium , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
A field experiment was carried out at four location‐years in Southwestern Quebec, Canada in 1990 and 1991, to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) application on protein, lipid, non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC), and remaining grain components concentrations of maize ( Zea mays L.) grain during kernel development. Three N fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea, and calcium ammonium nitrate) were compared for plants receiving pre‐plant incorporated N fertilizer at 180 kg ha ‐1 as well as a control which received no N fertilizer. The results indicated that between 20 and 30 days after pollination (DAP) protein concentration of maize kernels declined sharply, thereafter only slightly, irrespective of the treatment. At most stages and in all four location‐years protein concentration was raised significantly by N‐application without clear difference between N‐fertilizer sources. At 20 DAP seeds of N‐fertilized plants contain 25.5 mg g ‐1 more than those without N‐application (control); later on, this difference was lower (12.8 mg g ‐1 ) but remained constant over time if averaged over N‐sources and location‐years. At most growth stages and in most location‐years the lipid concentration did not respond to N fertilizer application. Lipid concentration followed an “N” shaped curve over the course of grain development. Non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration increased significantly during grain filling and showed little effect due to N application. However, at most growth stages in the four location‐years, the concentration of remaining grain components tended to decline with N application. A significant negative correlation existed between the changes in protein concentration and NSC concentration during kernel development.