Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.2, 79-92 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 79 Research Insight Open Access Impact of Integrated Agronomic Practices on Maize Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency Lan Zhou , Long Jiang Colleye of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural Science and Technology University, Jilin, 132101, Jilin, China Corresponding email: jilinzhoulan@126.com Field Crop, 2024 Vol.7, No.2 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0009 Received: 03 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 14 Mar., 2024 Published: 01 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou and Jiang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhou L., and Jiang L., 2024, Impact of integrated agronomic practices on maize yield and nutrient use efficiency, Field Crop, 7(2): 79-92 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0009) Abstract The integration of agronomic practices has shown significant potential in enhancing maize yield and nutrient use efficiency (NUE). This study synthesizes findings from multiple studies to evaluate the impact of integrated agronomic practices (IAP) on maize yield and NUE under varying soil fertility conditions. Studies indicate that IAP, which includes optimal planting density, split fertilizer application, and subsoiling tillage, can substantially increase maize grain yield and NUE compared to traditional farmers' practices (FP). The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers, as part of integrated nutrient management (INM), has also been shown to improve soil fertility and crop productivity, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. Long-term field studies reveal that integrated soil-crop system management (ISSM) strategies can achieve high maize yields and NUE with reduced environmental costs. Additionally, the integration of weed and nutrient management practices has been found to enhance maize yield, nutrient uptake, and economic returns in rice-maize cropping systems. The application of biochar in conjunction with partial doses of inorganic fertilizers further supports improved crop productivity and sustainability in maize-wheat cropping systems. Overall, the adoption of integrated agronomic practices offers a promising approach to achieving higher maize yields and better nutrient use efficiency, thereby supporting sustainable agricultural intensification. Keywords Integrated agronomic practices (IAP); Maize yield; Nutrient use efficiency (NUE); Integrated nutrient management (INM); Sustainable agricultural practices 1 Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops globally, serving as a staple food for millions of people and a key component in animal feed and industrial products. It is cultivated extensively across diverse climatic regions, making it a versatile crop with significant economic and nutritional value. In countries like India, maize is the third most important food crop after wheat and rice, with substantial production during both the Kharif and Rabi seasons (Sindhi et al., 2018; Augustine et al., 2021). The global demand for maize continues to rise due to its wide range of uses, necessitating improvements in its production to ensure food security and meet the needs of a growing population (Ramadhan, 2021; Sarwar et al., 2023). Despite its global significance, maize cultivation faces several challenges that impact yield and sustainability. One of the primary issues is nutrient use efficiency (NUE), which refers to the ability of the crop to utilize available nutrients effectively. Poor NUE can lead to nutrient losses, environmental pollution, and increased production costs. Factors such as soil fertility, inappropriate fertilizer application, and climatic conditions can significantly affect NUE. For instance, unbalanced use of chemical fertilizers can degrade soil health and reduce crop productivity over time (Ghosh et al., 2020; Jalal et al., 2022). Additionally, nutrient deficiencies, particularly in nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn), are common in many maize-growing regions, further complicating efforts to achieve optimal yields (Zhou et al., 2019; Jalal et al., 2022). Integrated Agronomic Practices (IAP) offer a promising solution to the challenges of maize cultivation by combining various agronomic techniques to enhance crop performance and nutrient use efficiency. IAP strategies may include optimal planting density, split fertilizer application, subsoiling tillage, and the use of organic amendments such as biochar and farmyard manure (FYM) (Zhou et al., 2019; Sailaza and Kannamreddy, 2020;
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