Welcome to Acta Agronomica Sinica,

Acta Agron Sin ›› 2014, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (05): 915-923.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1006.2014.00915

• TILLAGE & CULTIVATION · PHYSIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Changes of Grain Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Hybrids Released in Different Eras in Shaanxi Province

ZHANG Ren-He1,DU Wei-Li1,GUO Dong-Wei1,ZHANG Ai-Ying2,HU Fu-Liang1,LI Feng-Yan1,*,XUE Ji-Quan1,*   

  1. 1 College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; 2 Weinan Seed Station, Weinan 714000, China?
  • Received:2013-09-06 Revised:2014-01-12 Online:2014-05-12 Published:2014-03-24
  • About author:薛吉全, E-mail: xjq2934 @163.com; 李凤艳, E-mail: li-feng-yan @163.com

Abstract:

Identifying the changes of grain yield and nitrogen use traits will facilitate the development of new maize hybrids with high yield and nitrogen use efficiency. In this study, 12 typical maize hybrids released from 1981 to 2010 in Shaanxi Province were grown in the field under three N rates (0, 120, and 240 kg hm-2 ) from 2011 to 2012 in Shaanxi, Northwest China. Nitrogen use efficiency and agronomic traits of maize were investigated. The result indicates that grain yield of maize hybrids increased with the increase of nitrogen rates, and the modern maize hybrids (2000s) showed better grain yield than the old ones (1980s) at three nitrogen levels. The yield genetic gains were 46, 65, and 83 kg ha per year at N0, N120, and N240 levels repeat. The modern hybrids showed better biomass and grain yield than the old ones, but there was no clear changing trend in stover yield between hybrids of different ears. Increments of grain yield were achieved mainly through increasing the kernel number per ear, 1000-kernel weight and biomass, and the coefficient of light extinction decreased with the time process of cultivar development from 1981 to 2010. Changes of plant structure would allow the modern maize hybrids to improve light capture resulting in better grain yield than that of the old ones. For nitrogen use point of view, irrespective of nitrogen treatments, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of hybrids released increased in responses of time. But nitrogen use efficiency decreased with increasing nitrogen application rates, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was highly correlated with N uptake efficiency (NUpE, r = 0.75), and not with N physiological efficiency (NUtE, r = 0.42). Increased NUE positively correlated with improved N uptake efficiency (NUpE), due to the greater post-anthesis N accumulation. The results indicated that improvements of 1000-kernel weight, kernel number per ear and nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) should be considered during breeding for high yield and high nitrogen use efficiency of maize under low nitrogen and water limited conditions.

Key words: Shaanxi Provinc, Maize hybrids released, Grain yield, Agricultural traits, Nitrogen use efficiency traits

[1]李少昆, 王崇桃. 玉米生产技术创新与扩散. 北京: 科学出版社, 2010. pp 1–32



Li S K, Wang C T. Innovation and Diffusion of Corn Production Technology. Beijing: Science press, 2010. pp 1–32 (in Chinese)



[2]Tollenaar M, Lee E A. Dissection of physiplogical processes underlying grain yield in maize by examining genetic improvement and heterosis. Maydica, 2006, 51: 399–408



[3]Wang T Y, Ma X L, Yu L, Bai D P, Liu C, Liu Z Z, Tan X J, Shi Y S, Song Y C, Mario C, David B, Hans B, Elizabeth J, Kevin W, Stephen S. Changes in yield and yield components of single-cross maize hybrids released in China between 1964 and 2001. Crop Sci, 2011, 51: 512–525



[4]Duvick D N. Genetic progress in yield of United States maize (Zea mays L.). Maydica, 2005, 50: 193–202



[5]谢振江, 李明顺, 徐家舜, 张世煌. 遗传改良对中国华北不同年代玉米单交种产量的贡献. 中国农业科学, 2009, 47: 781–789



Xie Z J, Li M S, Xu J S, Zhang S H. Contributions of genetic improvement to yields of maize hybrids during different eras in North China. Sci Agric Sin, 2009, 47: 781–789 (in Chinese with English abstract)



[6]Qiao C G, Wang Y J, Guo H A, ChenX J, Liu J Y, Li S Q. A review of advances in maize production in Jilin province during 1974–1993. Field Crops Res, 1996, 47: 65–75



[7]Luque S F, Cirilo A G, Otegui M E. Genetic gains in grain yield and related physiological attributes in Argentine maize hybrids. Field Crops Res, 2006, 95: 383–397



[8]Duvick D N. Genteic rates of gain in hybrid maize yields during the past 40 years. Maydica, 1977, 22: 187–196



[9]Ci X K, Li M S, Xu J S, Lu Z Y, Bai P F, Ru G L, Liang X L, Zhang D G, Li X H, Bai L, Xie C X, Hao Z F, Zhang S H, Dong S T. Trends of grain yield and plant traits in Chinese maize cultivars from the 1950s to the 2000—2010. Euphytica, 2011, 185: 395–406



[10]Ding L, Wang K J, Jiang G M, Liu M Z, Niu S L, Gao L M. Post-anthesis changes in photosynthetic traits of maize hybrids released in different years. Field Crops Res, 2005, 93: 108–115



[11]张福锁, 王激清, 张卫峰, 崔振岭, 马文奇, 陈新平, 江荣风. 中国主要禾谷类作物氮肥利用效率及改进途径. 土壤学报, 2008, 6: 915–924 



Zhang F S, Wang J Q, Zhang W F, Cui Z L, Ma W Q, Chen X P, Jiang R F. Nutrient use efficiencies of major ceral crops in China and measures for improvement. Acta Pedol Sin, 2008, 6: 915–924 (in Chinese with English abstract)



[12]Cunha Fernandes J S, Franzon J F. Thirty years of genetic progress in maize (Zea mays L.) in a tropical environment. Maydica, 1997, 42: 21–27



[13]Duvick D N, Cassman K G. Post-green revolution trends in yield potential of temperate maize in the North-central United States. Crop Sci, 1999, 39: 1622–1630



[14]Carlone M R, Russell W A. Response to plant densities and nitrogen levels for four maize cultivars from different eras of breeding. Crop Sci, 1987, 3: 465–470



[15]Tollenaar M. Genetic improvement in grain yield of commercial maize hybrids grown in Ontario from 1959 to 1988. Crop Sci, 1989, 29: 1365–1371



[16]Echarte L, Rotnstein S, Tollenaar M. Response of leaf photosythesis and dry matter accumulation to nitrogen supply in old and a new maize hybrids. Crop Sci, 2008, 48: 656–665



[17]Castleberry R M, Crum C W, Krull C F. Genetic yield improvement of US maize cultivars under varying fertility and climatic environments. Crop Sci, 1984, 24: 33–36



[18]Ma B L, Dwyer L M, Gregorich E G. Soil nitrogen amendment effects on nitrogen uptake and grain yield of maize. Agron J, 1999, 91: 650–656



[19]Frei O M. Changes in yield physiology of corn as a result of breeding in northern Europe. Maydica, 2000, 45: 173–183



[20]Bingham I J, Karley A J, White P J, Thomas W T B, Rusell J R. Analysis of improvements in nitrogen use efficiency associated with 75 years of spring barley breeding. Eur J Agron, 2012, 42: 49–58



[21]Worku M, Banziger M, Erley G S A, Friesen D, Diallo A O, Horst W J. Nitrogen uptake and utilization in contrasting nitrogen efficiency tropical maize hybrids. Crop Sci, 2007, 47: 519–528



[22]Sangoi L, Gracietti M A, Rampazzo C, Bianchetti P. Response of Brazilian maize hybrids from different eras to changes in plant density. Field Crops Res, 2002, 79: 39–51



[23]Eyherabide G H, Damilano A L. Comparison of genetic gain for grain yield of maize between the 1980—1989 and 1990s in Argentina. Maydica, 2001, 46: 277–281



[24]钱春荣, 于洋, 宫秀杰, 姜宇博, 赵杨, 郝玉波, 李梁, 张卫建. 黑龙江省不同年代玉米杂交种氮肥利用效率对种植密度和施氮水平的响应. 作物学报, 2012, 38: 2069–2077



Qian C R, Yu Y, Gong X J, Qian Y B, Zhao Y, Hao Y B, Li L, Zhang W J. Response of nitrogen use efficiency to plant density and nitrogen application rate for maize hybrids from different eras in Heilongjiang Province. Acta Agron Sin, 2012, 38: 2069–2077 (in Chinese with English abstract)



[25]Maddonni G A, Otegui M E, Cirilo A G. Plant population density, row spacing and hybrid effects on maize canopy architecture and light attenuation. Field Crops Res, 2001, 71: 183–193



[26]慈晓科, 张世煌, 谢振江, 徐家舜, 卢振宇, 茹高林, 张德贵, 李新海, 谢传晓, 白丽, 李明顺, 董树亭. 1970–2000年代玉米单交种的遗传产量增益分析方法的比较. 作物学报, 2010, 36: 2185–2190



Ci X K, Zhang S H, Xie Z J, Xu J X, Lu Z Y, Ru G L, Zhang D G, Li X H, Xie C X, Bai L, Li M S, Dong S T. Comparison of analysis method of genetic yield gain for the single-cross hybrids released during 1970s–2000s. Acta Agron Sin, 2010, 36: 2185–2190 (in Chinese with English abstract)



[27]Moll R H, Kamprath E J, Jackson W A. Analysis and interpretation of factors which contribute to efficiency of nitrogen utilization. Agron J, 1982, 74: 562–564



[28]董树亭. 玉米生态生理与产量品质形成. 北京: 高等教育出版社, 2006. pp 168–222



Dong S T. Eco-physiology and Formation of Yield and Quality in Maize. Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2006. pp 168–222 (in Chinese)



[29]李从峰, 赵明, 刘鹏, 张吉旺, 杨今胜, 刘京国, 王空军, 董树亭. 中国不同年代玉米单交种及其亲本主要性状演变对密度的响应玉米.中国农业科学, 2013, 46: 2421–2429



Li C F, Zhao M, Liu P, Zhang J W, Yang J S, Liu J G, Wang K J, Dong S T. Responses of main traits of maize hybrids and their parents to density in different eras of China. Sci Agric Sin, 2013, 46: 2421–2429 (in Chinese with English abstract)

[1] Ma Sheng-Qian, Wang Zhi-Ping, Chen Hao-Tian, Dou Shu-Xian, Zhang Yan, Deng Ai-Xing, Zhang Wei-Jian, Yuan Xiang-Yang, Song Zhen-Wei. Effects of tillage methods and nitrogen application rate on maize yield and soil aggregates in northeastern China under straw returning [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(6): 1802-1816.
[2] Zhang Zhen, Feng Lian-Jie, Shi Yu, Yu Zhen-Wen, Zhang Yong-Li. Yield formation of wheat with different ear types under water-saving supplementary irrigation conditions [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1522-1535.
[3] YANG Ting-Ting, CHEN Juan, ABDUL Rehman, LI Jing, YAN Su-Hui, WANG Jian-Lai, LI Wen-Yang. Effects of weak light post-anthesis on dry matter accumulation and translocation, grain yield, and starch quality in soft wheat [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(8): 2204-2219.
[4] ZHANG Shi-Bo, LI Hong-Yan, LI Pei-Fu, REN Rui-Hua, LU Hai-Dong. Effects of a 3-4℃ increase in air temperature under natural conditions on root-shoot senescence and yield in plastic-film mulched maize [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(6): 1599-1617.
[5] WANG Dong, WANG Sen, SHANG Li, FENG Hao-Wei, ZHANG Yong-Qiao, CUI Jia-Ming, LI Shuang, ZHANG Jia-Cong, CHE Huan. Effect of supplementary irrigation on winter wheat yield and water use efficiency in semi humid areas of the Loess Plateau [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(5): 1312-1325.
[6] MENG Fan-Qi, FANG Meng-Ying, LUO Yi, LU Lin, DONG Xue-Rui, WANG Ya-Fei, GUO Li-Na, YAN Peng, DONG Zhi-Qiang, ZHANG Feng-Lu. Effect of ethephon betaine salicylic acid mixture on heat resistance and yield of summer maize [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(5): 1299-1311.
[7] WENG Wen-An, XING Zhi-Peng, HU Qun, WEI Hai-Yan, LIAO Ping, ZHU Hai-Bin, QU Ji-Wei, LI Xiu-Li, LIU Gui-Yun, GAO Hui, ZHANG Hong-Cheng. Study on yield formation characteristics, energy and economic benefits of unmanned dry direct-seeding rice [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(5): 1363-1377.
[8] DING Chao, DU Chang-Liang, XIE Jun-Hong, MENG Hao-Feng, WANG Lin-Lin, ZHOU Yong-Jie, LI Ze-Kun, LI Ling-Ling. Photosynthetic physiological mechanisms underlying improved grain yield and quality in dryland maize through nitrogen management [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(11): 3080-3095.
[9] WANG Li-Ping, LI Pan, ZHAO Lian-Hao, FAN Zhi-Long, HU Fa-Long, FAN Hong, HE Wei, CHAI Qiang, YIN Wen. Response of senescence characteristics for maize leaves under different plastic mulching and using patterns in oasis irrigation areas of northwestern China [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(1): 233-246.
[10] WANG Yuan, XU Jia-Yin, DONG Er-Wei, WANG Jin-Song, LIU Qiu-Xia, HUANG Xiao-Lei, JIAO Xiao-Yan. Effects of manure replacement of chemical fertilizer nitrogen on yield, nitrogen accumulation, and quality of foxtail millet [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(1): 149-160.
[11] ZHANG Zhen, HE Jian-Ning, SHI Yu, YU Zhen-Wen, ZHANG Yong-Li. Effects of row spacing and planting patterns on photosynthetic characteristics and yield of wheat [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2024, 50(9): 2396-2407.
[12] HAN Xiao-Chen, ZHANG Gui-Qin, WANG Ya-Hui, REN Hao, WANG Hong-Zhang, LIU Guo-Li, LIN Dian-Xu, WANG Zi-Qiang, ZHANG Ji-Wang, ZHAO Bin, REN Bao-Zhao, LIU Peng. Effects of soil conditioners on soil salinity content and maize yield in coastal saline-alkali land [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2024, 50(7): 1776-1786.
[13] ZHANG Zhen, ZHAO Jun-Ye, SHI Yu, ZHANG Yong-Li, YU Zhen-Wen. Effects of different sowing space on photosynthetic characteristics after anthesis and grain yield of wheat [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2024, 50(4): 981-990.
[14] ZOU Jia-Qi, WANG Zhong-Lin, TAN Xian-Ming, CHEN Liao-Yuan, YANG Wen-Yu, YANG Feng. Estimation of maize grain yield under drought stress based on continuous wavelet transform [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2024, 50(4): 1030-1042.
[15] WU Xia-Yu, LI Pan, WEI Jin-Gui, FAN Hong, HE Wei, FAN Zhi-Long, HU Fa-Long, CHAI Qiang, YIN Wen. Effect of reduced irrigation and combined application of organic and chemical fertilizers on photosynthetic physiology, grain yield and quality of maize in northwestern irrigation areas [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2024, 50(4): 1065-1079.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!