Maize Genomics and Genetics 2025, Vol.16, No.5, 258-266 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/mgg 264 environment. In order to make these good methods more quickly available, extension departments and policymakers can do more publicity and training to help farmers learn new technologies, especially small farmers. At the same time, policies can encourage everyone to adopt efficient and low-pollution planting methods, such as rational fertilizer use and improved management methods. As long as we reasonably arrange the planting density and fertilization methods without disturbing existing farming, there is still room for improvement in maize yields. If these practices can also be combined with new technologies such as variety improvement and precision agriculture, it will help us achieve the two goals of increasing food production and protecting the environment at the same time. In order to make these goals a reality, continuous research, technological innovation and policy support are needed to ensure that maize yields are high and sustainable. Acknowledgments We are grateful to Miss Guo for critically reading the manuscript and providing valuable feedback. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Abdo A., El-Sobky E., and Zhang J., 2022, Optimizing maize yields using growth stimulants under the strategy of replacing chemicals with biological fertilizers, Frontiers in Plant Science, 13: 1069624. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1069624 Al-Naggar A., Shabana R., Atta M., and Al-Khalil T., 2015, Maize response to elevated plant density combined with lowered N-fertilizer rate is genotype-dependent, Crop Journal, 3: 96-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CJ.2015.01.002 Assefa Y., Carter P., Hinds M., Bhalla G., Schon R., Jeschke M., Paszkiewicz S., Smith S., and Ciampitti I., 2018, Analysis of long term study indicates both agronomic optimal plant density and increase maize yield per plant contributed to yield gain, Scientific Reports, 8: 4937. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23362-x Cairns J., Chamberlin J., Rutsaert P., Voss R., Ndhlela T., and Magorokosho C., 2021, Challenges for sustainable maize production of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Journal of Cereal Science, 101: 103274. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCS.2021.103274 Djalović I., Prasad P., Dunđerski D., Katanski S., Latković D., and Kolarić L., 2024, Optimal plant density is key for maximizing maize yield in calcareous soil of the South Pannonian Basin, Plants, 13(13): 1799. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131799 Du X., Wang Z., Lei W., and Kong L., 2021, Increased planting density combined with reduced nitrogen rate to achieve high yield in maize, Scientific Reports, 11: 358. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79633-z Fernández J., DeBruin J., Messina C., and Ciampitti I., 2020, Late-season nitrogen fertilization on maize yield: a meta-analysis, Field Crops Research, 247: 107586. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FCR.2019.107586 Gong F., Wu X., Zhang H., Chen Y., and Wang W., 2015, Making better maize plants for sustainable grain production in a changing climate, Frontiers in Plant Science, 6: 835. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00835 Han X., Xiao X., Zhang J., Shao M., Jie Y., and Xing H., 2024, Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and planting density on growth, nutrient characteristics, and chlorophyll fluorescence in silage maize, Agronomy, 14(7): 1352. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071352 Huang M., Wang J., Wang B., Liu D., Yu Q., He D., Wang N., and Pan X., 2020, Optimizing sowing window and cultivar choice can boost China’s maize yield under 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming, Environmental Research Letters, 15: 024015. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab66ca Jiang M., Dong C., Bian W., Zhang W., and Wang Y., 2024, Effects of different fertilization practices on maize yield, soil nutrients, soil moisture, and water use efficiency in northern China based on a meta-analysis, Scientific Reports, 14: 6480. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57031-z Lacasa J., Gaspar A., Hinds M., Don S., Berning D., and Ciampitti I., 2020, Bayesian approach for maize yield response to plant density from both agronomic and economic viewpoints in North America, Scientific Reports, 10: 15948. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72693-1
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==