Maize Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 258-266 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 258 Research Insight Open Access Effects of Plant Density and Fertilization on Optimization of Maize Yield Jiayi Wu, Qian Li Modern Agricultural Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: qian.li@cuixi.org Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol.16, No.5 doi: 10.5376/mgg.2025.16.0023 Received: 10 Aug., 2025 Accepted: 22 Sep., 2025 Published: 11 Oct., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Wu and Li, 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: Wu J.Y., and Li Q., 2025, Effects of plant density and fertilization on optimization of maize yield, Maize Genomics and Genetics, 16(5): 258-266 (doi: 10.5376/mgg.2025.16.0023) Abstract Maize is a globally important staple crop, and optimizing its yield through agronomic practices remains a primary focus in agricultural research. This study investigates the effects of plant density and fertilization strategies on maize yield optimization, emphasizing their individual and combined influences. We examined how different plant densities, ranging from low to high, affect yield potential under varying environmental and management conditions, and identified the optimal densities for specific agronomic scenarios. Additionally, we explored the role of nutrient management-particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients-highlighting precision and site-specific fertilization strategies that enhance crop productivity. The interaction between plant density and fertilization was also analyzed, revealing their synergistic impact on yield response, plant morphology, and soil health. A regional case study conducted in the North China Plain further demonstrated the practical implications of integrated density-fertilization regimes. This study underscores the significance of genotype × environment × management interactions and points to the need for adaptive, innovative practices to achieve sustainable yield gains. Future research should aim to refine optimization models and promote evidence-based recommendations for diverse agroecological contexts. Keywords Maize yield; Plant density; Fertilization strategy; Agronomic optimization; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is a very important food crop worldwide. It is not only a staple food for humans, but is also widely used as feed and industrial processing. Because it can adapt to the climate and soil of different regions and has high yields, it is important for food security and economic development in many places (Shi et al., 2016; Shao et al., 2024a). As the population grows, the demand for maize is also increasing, so increasing maize yields is becoming increasingly important. To grow maize well, some key planting methods are indispensable, such as planting density and fertilization methods. Too high or too low density will affect the use of sunlight, the accumulation of dry matter, and the efficiency of nutrient and water use. Fertilization, especially the use of nitrogen fertilizer, will also directly affect the ability of maize to absorb nutrients and carry out photosynthesis, thereby affecting the yield (Du et al., 2021; Li et al., 2021; Meng et al., 2022; Shao et al., 2024b). However, if the density and fertilizer amount are not used appropriately, not only may the yield decrease, but fertilizer will also be wasted and it will be bad for the environment. Recent studies have found that if the planting density and fertilizer amount can be reasonably matched according to the local climate and soil conditions and the characteristics of different maize varieties, the yield of maize and resource utilization can be significantly improved, which is also more conducive to sustainable development (Al-Naggar et al., 2015; Lai et al., 2022; Tian et al., 2022; Wu et al., 2024). This study mainly summarizes the current research results on the effects of planting density and fertilization on maize yield. The focus is on analyzing how these two factors affect maize yield, resource utilization efficiency and sustainability under different regions and management methods. We refer to the results of multiple field trials and meta-analyses, hoping to provide some well-founded suggestions for scientific maize planting and increasing yields.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==