Maize Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 20-33 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 26 Figure 3 The model explaining the effect of N forms on maize growth under low and high planting density (Adopted from Wang et al., 2019) Image caption: Mixed N form compared to nitrate only (A and B) and ammonium only compared to nitrate only (C and D) under low and high planting density for ZD958 under 1 mmol/L nitrogen. Solid arrows represent the promotion effect; solid lines and pentagrams represent the suppression effect; dotted arrows represent feedback facilitation (Adopted from Wang et al., 2019) 7 Application of New Fertilization Technologies 7.1 Effects of controlled-release and slow-release fertilizers in maize cultivation Controlled-release and slow-release fertilizers have shown significant promise in enhancing maize yield and nutrient use efficiency. A study conducted over two years demonstrated that the application of slow-release fertilizers (SF) at an optimal planting density of 7.5 plants per square meter resulted in the highest grain yields and nutrient use efficiencies for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). This method increased post-silking dry matter accumulation and promoted nutrient uptake at both pre- and post-silking stages, leading to higher grain nutrient concentrations and improved nutrient use efficiencies compared to conventional fertilizers (CF) (Li et al., 2021). Additionally, the long-term application of controlled-release urea (CRU) mixed with conventional urea fertilizer (CUF) significantly improved soil aggregate stability, humic acid content, and maize nitrogen uptake, resulting in a 9.4%~14.0% increase in average yield over three growing seasons (Gao et al., 2021). Moreover, the combination of controlled-release urea with optimal irrigation practices has been shown to further enhance maize growth and yield. Under adequate water conditions, the application of CRU at 210 kg N/ha was sufficient to meet maize growth requirements, while under mild water stress, increasing the CRU rate to 315 kg N/ha effectively alleviated the adverse effects of drought by improving photosynthetic performance and delaying leaf senescence (Li et al., 2020). These findings highlight the potential of controlled-release and slow-release fertilizers to optimize nutrient management and improve maize productivity. 7.2 Foliar application as a supplementary method during critical growth stages Foliar application of fertilizers has emerged as an effective supplementary method to enhance maize growth and yield, particularly during critical growth stages. Foliar-applied mixed mineral fertilizers and organic biostimulants have been shown to significantly improve root growth, seed yield, and quality in maize. For instance, treatments
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