The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements
The field experiment was performed in 2019–2021 at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (54°52′ N, 23°49′ E). The soil of the experimental field was Endohipogleyic-Eutric Planasol. The studied factors were: Factor A—different nitrogen fertilizer rates: (1) 100 k...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/3/741 |
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| author | Povilas Drulis Zita Kriaučiūnienė Vytautas Liakas |
| author_facet | Povilas Drulis Zita Kriaučiūnienė Vytautas Liakas |
| author_sort | Povilas Drulis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The field experiment was performed in 2019–2021 at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (54°52′ N, 23°49′ E). The soil of the experimental field was Endohipogleyic-Eutric Planasol. The studied factors were: Factor A—different nitrogen fertilizer rates: (1) 100 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>; (2) 140 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>; (3) 180 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>; Factor B—the use of urease inhibitors (UI) and biological preparations (BP): (1) urease inhibitors (UI) and biological preparations (BP) were not used; (2) Urease inhibitor (UI ATS)—ammonium thiosulfate—[(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> 12-0-0-26S]; (3) Urease inhibitor (UI URN)—N-butyl-thiophosphorus triamide (NBPT) and N-propyl-thiophosphorus triamide (NPPT); (4) Biological preparation (BP HUM)—suspension of humic and fulvic acids; (5) Biological preparation (BP FIT)—<i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i> suspension. Our studies showed that the highest yield of maize grain (8.9–12.0 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) was obtained by fertilizing with N180 and using the urease inhibitor ammonium thiosulfate (ATS). ATS significantly increased corn grain yield in all backgrounds of nitrogen fertilization. The investigated urease inhibitors and biologics had a higher and more significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) effect on maize grain yield when fertilized with N<sub>100</sub> nitrogen. The increase in nitrogen fertilizer rates had an effect on maize grain yield, with the largest increase in yield being found in the increase in nitrogen rate from N<sub>100</sub> to N<sub>140</sub>, and the increase in rate to N180 was less effective. The maximum mass of 1000 grains (323.5 g) was determined in 2019 by fertilization with N180 and use of the urease inhibitor UI URN. The urease inhibitor UI ATS was more effective when fertilized with lower rates of N<sub>100</sub> and N<sub>140</sub>. Positive, moderate, strong and very strong, statistically significant correlations (<i>r</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.48–0.91) were most often found between the latter indicators and nitrogen fertilizer rates throughout the study year. The largest amount of grain (497 units) in the cob was determined in 2019, using fertilization with N<sub>140</sub> and UI ATS, but no significant differences were found between the different fertilizer rates and the tested preparations. These results suggest that urease inhibitors and biologics can reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizers and increase maize yield, a technology that should be practiced by maize growers. |
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| spelling | doaj.art-9066dd7014794f59b14c58209f4117da2023-11-30T20:45:28ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952022-03-0112374110.3390/agronomy12030741The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure ElementsPovilas Drulis0Zita Kriaučiūnienė1Vytautas Liakas2Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, LithuaniaDepartment of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio Str. 58, LT-44248 Kaunas, LithuaniaThe field experiment was performed in 2019–2021 at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (54°52′ N, 23°49′ E). The soil of the experimental field was Endohipogleyic-Eutric Planasol. The studied factors were: Factor A—different nitrogen fertilizer rates: (1) 100 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>; (2) 140 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>; (3) 180 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup>; Factor B—the use of urease inhibitors (UI) and biological preparations (BP): (1) urease inhibitors (UI) and biological preparations (BP) were not used; (2) Urease inhibitor (UI ATS)—ammonium thiosulfate—[(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> 12-0-0-26S]; (3) Urease inhibitor (UI URN)—N-butyl-thiophosphorus triamide (NBPT) and N-propyl-thiophosphorus triamide (NPPT); (4) Biological preparation (BP HUM)—suspension of humic and fulvic acids; (5) Biological preparation (BP FIT)—<i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i> suspension. Our studies showed that the highest yield of maize grain (8.9–12.0 t ha<sup>−1</sup>) was obtained by fertilizing with N180 and using the urease inhibitor ammonium thiosulfate (ATS). ATS significantly increased corn grain yield in all backgrounds of nitrogen fertilization. The investigated urease inhibitors and biologics had a higher and more significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) effect on maize grain yield when fertilized with N<sub>100</sub> nitrogen. The increase in nitrogen fertilizer rates had an effect on maize grain yield, with the largest increase in yield being found in the increase in nitrogen rate from N<sub>100</sub> to N<sub>140</sub>, and the increase in rate to N180 was less effective. The maximum mass of 1000 grains (323.5 g) was determined in 2019 by fertilization with N180 and use of the urease inhibitor UI URN. The urease inhibitor UI ATS was more effective when fertilized with lower rates of N<sub>100</sub> and N<sub>140</sub>. Positive, moderate, strong and very strong, statistically significant correlations (<i>r</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.48–0.91) were most often found between the latter indicators and nitrogen fertilizer rates throughout the study year. The largest amount of grain (497 units) in the cob was determined in 2019, using fertilization with N<sub>140</sub> and UI ATS, but no significant differences were found between the different fertilizer rates and the tested preparations. These results suggest that urease inhibitors and biologics can reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizers and increase maize yield, a technology that should be practiced by maize growers.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/3/741<i>Zea mays</i> L.N-fertilizationN reductionurease inhibitorsbio-preparationsproductivity |
| spellingShingle | Povilas Drulis Zita Kriaučiūnienė Vytautas Liakas The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements Agronomy <i>Zea mays</i> L. N-fertilization N reduction urease inhibitors bio-preparations productivity |
| title | The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements |
| title_full | The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements |
| title_short | The Influence of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates, Urease Inhibitors and Biological Preparations on Maize Grain Yield and Yield Structure Elements |
| title_sort | influence of different nitrogen fertilizer rates urease inhibitors and biological preparations on maize grain yield and yield structure elements |
| topic | <i>Zea mays</i> L. N-fertilization N reduction urease inhibitors bio-preparations productivity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/3/741 |
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