Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.3, 158-170 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 166 agronomic practices (IAP), which include optimal planting density, split fertilizer application, and subsoiling tillage, have been shown to increase maize grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) significantly. For instance, IAP increased maize grain yield by 25%~28% in low soil fertility fields and by 36%~37% in high soil fertility fields over two growing seasons (Zhou et al., 2019). Additionally, the application of nitrogen fertilizers has been found to increase protein concentration in maize, although it may alter the amino acid balance, potentially reducing the nutritional value (Mason and D'croz-Mason, 2002). Other agronomic measures, such as the use of N, P, K, and S fertilizers, can enhance the nutritional quality of maize by increasing protein and essential amino acid concentrations (Wang and Malhi, 2008). Figure 3 Effects of Integrated Agronomic Practices Management (IAPM) and Nitrogen Rate Testing (NAT) on endogenous hormone content in summer maize grains (Adapted from Yu et al., 2021) Image caption: A-D: IAPM treatments, a-d: NAT treatments; IAPM (four treatments); T1: conventional cultivation; T2: based on T1, increase planting density, reduce nitrogen rate, increase phosphorus and potassium rates, adjust fertilization time and delay harvesting; T3: based on T2, further increase density and fertilizer for high yield; T4: based on T3, reduce density and fertilizer; NAT (four nitrogen levels): N0, 1 kg N ha−1; N1: 129.0 kg N ha−1; N2: 184.5 kg N ha−1; N3: 300.0 kg N ha−1, Standard Error (n=3); ns: no significant difference; ** and * indicate significant differences at the 0.01 and 0.05 probability levels, respectively (Adapted from Yu et al., 2021)
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