Journal of Energy Bioscience 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 182-192 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 186 5.2 Fertilization strategies In terms of fertilization, nitrogen fertilizer plays a decisive role. Studies have shown that applying nitrogen in batches and controlling the dosage can increase the yield by 13.9%, and the dry matter accumulation can also be increased by 27.1% (Shao et al., 2024). If the management methods of reasonable density, batch fertilization and deep tillage are combined, especially in fields with good soil fertility, corn can continue to accumulate a lot of dry matter and nitrogen after silking, accounting for 60% and 43% of the total, respectively, which is good for both yield and nitrogen fertilizer utilization (Zhou et al., 2019). In 2022, Galindo's team also found that inoculating some beneficial bacteria, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azospirillum brasilense, can help corn absorb more nitrogen even if nitrogen fertilizer is reduced by half, and can also increase yield by 7%, while also having better economic benefits (Galindo et al., 2022). Another way is to apply silicon fertilizer. It can make plant leaves contain more chlorophyll, help photosynthesis, and thus increase biomass. Even if nitrogen fertilizer is reduced to 100 kg per hectare, the yield can still be very high (Galindo et al., 2021). Scientific fertilization can not only increase production, but also improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use, so as to achieve high yield and environmental protection (Wang et al., 2014; Zhou et al., 2019; Galindo et al., 2021; Galindo et al., 2022). 5.3 Irrigation and water use efficiency In arid or semi-arid areas, reasonable irrigation and water-fertilizer integration technology are very important. Methods such as drip irrigation and fertigation not only save water, but also improve fertilizer efficiency. Studies have shown that this can increase yields by about 16.9%, while also helping corn accumulate and distribute more dry matter (Shao et al., 2024; Lei et al., 2025). The use of precision irrigation and reasonable density together is particularly effective in some specific areas, such as the irrigation belt in the northwest. It can greatly increase the potential for yield (Lei et al., 2025). These technologies not only improve water utilization, but also reduce the negative impact of drought, allowing corn to maintain stable and high yields even under adverse conditions (Shao et al., 2024; Lei et al., 2025). 6 Environmental and Climatic Factors 6.1 Climate adaptation When temperatures rise, maize biomass and yield generally decrease. Many simulations and studies have shown that global warming is not very friendly to maize. For every 1°C increase in temperature, maize yields will decrease by an average of about 0.5 tons/hectare (Bassu et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2020). High temperatures will make maize grow faster, but will also make it mature earlier, reduce photosynthesis efficiency, and ultimately affect biomass accumulation (Chekole and Ahmed, 2022; Kim and Lee, 2023) (Figure 2). Changes in rainfall are also a key issue. Drought and lack of water will affect maize emergence, growth, photosynthesis, and flowering and fruiting. Leaves tend to curl, plants do not grow tall, and yields will also decrease (Chekole and Ahmed, 2022; Kim and Lee, 2023; Dahri et al., 2024). However, if irrigation is applied properly during critical periods, such as once during the reproductive growth period, the yield can be significantly improved, up to 55% (Dahri et al., 2024). Photoperiod also affects the growth and development of maize. However, there is currently a lack of research directly explaining its specific impact on biomass. 6.2 Soil health and microbiome interactions The quality of the soil and the strength of microbial activity will affect the accumulation of maize biomass. Nitrogen fertilizer management is a key point. If nitrogen fertilizer is used properly, it can not only increase yields, but also help maize better adapt to high temperatures and rainfall changes (Falconnier et al., 2020; Olasogba and Duckers, 2020; Chekole and Ahmed, 2022). In low-input agricultural systems, simulating the supply and loss of soil nitrogen can help us determine the impact of climate change (Falconnier et al., 2020). Although there are not many studies directly discussing biofertilizers or mycorrhizal symbiosis, there is some evidence that soil microorganisms such as mycorrhizal fungi can improve crop performance under stress and improve its water and nutrient use efficiency, thereby indirectly increasing biomass (Yang et al., 2023).
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