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Aims <p>Effects of slow-release fertilizers in relay maize remains unclear. Our aim was to reveal the mechanism mediated by slow-release fertilizers that increases maize yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) in different cropping systems.</p> Methods <p>A two-factor split-plot design was conducted, with the main factor being cropping systems: Strip relay intercropping (SI) and monocropping maize (MM). Sub-factor was N type: 0&#xa0;kg&#xa0;ha⁻<sup>1</sup> (N0), normal urea at 300&#xa0;kg&#xa0;ha⁻<sup>1</sup> (U300), and slow-release fertilizer at 300&#xa0;kg&#xa0;ha⁻<sup>1</sup> (S300), N rate (300&#xa0;kg&#xa0;ha⁻<sup>1</sup>) was applied consistently both years.</p> Results <p>Compared to MM under the same N treatment, SI significantly reduced root length (RL, -21.0%), root volume (-42.0%), root surface area (RSA, -33.0%) and total root biomass (-25.0%), but it did increased root biomass in the 18–42&#xa0;cm soil layers. Compared to N0, S300 significantly increased relay maize RL, RSA, 18–42&#xa0;cm soil layer root biomass. Compared to U300, S300 significantly prolonged the leaf area duration, enhanced N post-anthesis assimilation, thereby improving NAE. Compared to N0, N application enhanced the stems vascular bundles traits. No significant difference was observed in the total number or area of vascular bundles in stem when S300 replaced U300, implying that N application rate plays a more critical role rather than N fertilizer type. Replacing U300 with S300 improved yield (+ 5.8%) and NAE (+ 40.9%) in relay maize. N post-anthesis assimilation, RL, RSA, 18–42&#xa0;cm soil layer root biomass were key drivers of NAE. Synergistic effects between leaf functional traits and the vascular system increased grain number per ear and thousand-grain weight.</p> Conclusions <p>Under the same N rate, replacing normal urea with slow-release fertilizer could increase yield and improve efficiency in the SI system. Our study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing fertilization in relay maize in the future.</p>

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Slow-release fertilizer improves relay maize yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency by reshaping root traits

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月15日

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  • Liang Feng,
  • Xin Liu,
  • Xuyang Zhao,
  • Xinghao Chen,
  • Shuyi Wangzhang,
  • Qing Liu,
  • Yinan Zhu,
  • Tian Pu,
  • Yushan Wu,
  • Taiwen Yong,
  • Feng Yang,
  • Xiaochun Wang,
  • Wenyu Yang

摘要

Aims

Effects of slow-release fertilizers in relay maize remains unclear. Our aim was to reveal the mechanism mediated by slow-release fertilizers that increases maize yield and nitrogen agronomic efficiency (NAE) in different cropping systems.

Methods

A two-factor split-plot design was conducted, with the main factor being cropping systems: Strip relay intercropping (SI) and monocropping maize (MM). Sub-factor was N type: 0 kg ha⁻1 (N0), normal urea at 300 kg ha⁻1 (U300), and slow-release fertilizer at 300 kg ha⁻1 (S300), N rate (300 kg ha⁻1) was applied consistently both years.

Results

Compared to MM under the same N treatment, SI significantly reduced root length (RL, -21.0%), root volume (-42.0%), root surface area (RSA, -33.0%) and total root biomass (-25.0%), but it did increased root biomass in the 18–42 cm soil layers. Compared to N0, S300 significantly increased relay maize RL, RSA, 18–42 cm soil layer root biomass. Compared to U300, S300 significantly prolonged the leaf area duration, enhanced N post-anthesis assimilation, thereby improving NAE. Compared to N0, N application enhanced the stems vascular bundles traits. No significant difference was observed in the total number or area of vascular bundles in stem when S300 replaced U300, implying that N application rate plays a more critical role rather than N fertilizer type. Replacing U300 with S300 improved yield (+ 5.8%) and NAE (+ 40.9%) in relay maize. N post-anthesis assimilation, RL, RSA, 18–42 cm soil layer root biomass were key drivers of NAE. Synergistic effects between leaf functional traits and the vascular system increased grain number per ear and thousand-grain weight.

Conclusions

Under the same N rate, replacing normal urea with slow-release fertilizer could increase yield and improve efficiency in the SI system. Our study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing fertilization in relay maize in the future.