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Growth Rate‐Nutrient Concentration Relationships During Early Growth of Corn as Affected by Applied N, P, and K
Author(s) -
Terman G. L.,
Noggle J. C.,
Hunt C. M.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1977.03615995004100020039x
Subject(s) - nutrient , dry matter , dilution , agronomy , zoology , greenhouse , growth rate , plant growth , chemistry , biology , ecology , mathematics , physics , geometry , thermodynamics
Three greenhouse pot experiments with corn ( Zea mays L.) were conducted to study effects of multiple rates of applied N, P, and K on growth and yield—nutrient concentration trends. Harvests were made each 4 or 6 days from 15 to 56 days after plant emergence. Growth and plant nutrient concentrations and uptake increased with rate of each applied nutrient at adequate levels of other nutrients. Applied N also increased both P concentrations and uptake in young corn plants. Yield response to applied K resulted only in dilution of N and P concentrations at even the earliest harvest. Concentrations of all nutrients were soon diluted to lower levels with increase in dry matter and/or age of plants, so that comparative results varied with time of harvest. Growth rates increased with adequacy of nutrient supply and more favorable growth conditions; they declined greatly soon after depletion of applied N. The limited soil volume in pot experiments, rate of growth, and time of harvest all greatly influence the effects of one nutrient on plant concentrations of other nutrients.