Maize plant nitrogen uptake dynamics at limited irrigation water and nitrogen.
Knowledge of the dynamics of plant nitrogen (N) uptake at varying irrigation water levels is critical for strategizing increased N recovery efficiency (NRE), water use efficiency (WUE), and maize yield. The N dynamics were studied under various irrigation regimes to evaluate NRE, WUE, and maize yield. A pot experiment was conducted using three irrigation water regimes (50, 75, and 100% field capacity (FC)) and four N fertilizer rates (0, 1.6, 3.2, and 4.8 g pot-1) applied with two fertilizer application methods including foliar and soil applications. The highest plant growth and grain yields were achieved by application of 4.8 g N pot-1with 100% FC. Contrarily, the maximum WUE (7.0 g L-1) was observed by the lowest irrigation water (50% FC) with the highest N fertilizer rates (4.8 g pot-1). Nitrogen concentration in the stem and grain was linearly increased by increasing N fertilizer rates with irrigation water. However, in the root, N concentration was decreased when the crop was supplied with 100% FC. In plant, maximum N uptake (6.5 mg g-1) was observed when 4.8 g N pot-1was applied with 100% FC. Nitrogen recovery efficiency was increased by increasing N rate up to 3.2 g pot-1with 100% FC. Therefore, for achieving maximum WUE and NRE, the highest water and N applications, respectively, are not necessary.
Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan.|AgWeatherNet, Washington State University, Prosser, WA, 99350, USA.
Hafiz Mohkum
HM
Hammad
Department of Agronomy, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, 90150, Pakistan.
Wajid
W
Farhad
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
Farhat
F
Abbas
College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China. shah_fahad80@yahoo.com.
Shah
S
Fahad
Department of Entomology, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef Agriculture University, Multan, Pakistan.
Shafqat
S
Saeed
Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan. wajidnaseem2001@gmail.com.|CIHEAM-Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen de Montpellier (IAMM), 3191 route de Mende, 34090, Montpellier, France. wajidnaseem2001@gmail.com.|CSIRO Sustainable Agriculture, National Research Flagship, Toowoomba, QLD, 4350, Australia. wajidnaseem2001@gmail.com.
Wajid
W
Nasim
Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan.
Hafiz Faiq
HF
Bakhat
D057914:Agricultural Irrigation; D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D005308:Fertilizers; D009584:Nitrogen; D018517:Plant Roots; D018547:Plant Stems; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D003313:Zea mays
D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D009584:Nitrogen
Maize; Nitrogen recovery efficiency; Water use efficiency