Effect of nitrogen fertilization on maize yield responses to soil microbial activity and root length density in the North China Plain

Abstract

A maize field experiment in the North China Plain was conducted to understand the effect of different N fertilizer rate on the yield of maize, using soil microbial activity and root length density (RLD) as performance parameters, due to their possibility to enhance productivity. The four N fertilizer rates were 0 (N0), 120 (N120), 210 (N210) and 300 (N300) kg N hm-2. The results indicated that nitrogen (N) fertilizer had a significant influence not only on yield (p<0.05), but also on root length density (p<0.05) and soil microbial activity (p<0.05). In addition, the soil microbial activity and RLD were significantly related with maize yield. RLD differences were generally evident within the 100 cm soil layer, whereas there was no difference in the deeper soil under different N treatments. The most RLD concentrated in 0-60cm soil layer under N0, N120 and in 0-90cm soil layer under N210, N300. The microbial growth rate constant (k) was greater in N210 than other treatments. Generally, N fertilizer application can stimulate root growth and microbial activity, meanwhile, they can interact with each other, heighten the availability of N fertilizer in soil, thus enhanced yield of maize. According to our study, 210 kg N hm-2 was the optimum N fertilizer rate to achieve maximum yield and sustain the soil productivity.