Nutrient accumulation and translocation characteristics of high-yield maize varieties in nitrogen and phosphorus co-limited fields

The objective of this study is to elucidate the nutrient accumulation and translocation, as well as the yield potential of the barren-tolerant and high-yielding maize varieties. The field experiments were conducted in N and P co-limited fields in 2022 and 2023. The 10 high-yielding maize varieties were taken as the tested materials. The treatments were set with fertilization and no fertilization. The results indicated that the varieties were classified into three types: barren-tolerant and high-yielding type (HB), barren-intolerant and high-yielding type (HNB), and barren-intolerant and sub-high-yielding type (SHNB), according to the average maize yield under fertilization and no fertilization. Under non-fertilized conditions, the yield of HB-type maize was significantly higher than that of the HNB and SHNB types by 16.23% and 19.66% in 2022, and 45.33% and 52.36% in 2023, respectively. Additionally, the total accumulation values of N, P, and K were all greater in the HB, compared with the HNB and SHNB varieties. The post-anthesis N accumulation of the HB varieties significantly increased by 38.22% to 54.99% and 57.34% to 82.00%, respectively, under no fertilization for two consecutive years; The post-anthesis P accumulation significantly increased by 76.19% to 106.31% and 105.56% to 317.60%, respectively; and the post-anthesis K accumulation significantly increased by 29.77% to 66.12% and 63.46% to 84.40%, respectively. However, there was no significant difference in the pre-anthesis N and P translocation among the three types of varieties. Under fertilization conditions, the indicators of the HB varieties shared no significant difference, compared with the HNB varieties, but they were significantly higher than those of the SHNB varieties. Their nutrient accumulation revealed that the HB varieties shared the outstanding advantage in the relative N, P, and K accumulation, indicating the strong capacity for nutrient acquisition. The maximum accumulation rates of N, P, and K were also significantly higher than before. These findings demonstrated that the HB varieties exhibited a pronounced superiority in the post-anthesis nutrient uptake and accumulation capacity in N- and P-deficient soils. The robust nutrient assimilation facilitated greater nutrient absorption and accumulation in the entire growth period, thereby enhancing the nutrient use efficiency. An ample supply of nutrients was realized during the critical grain-filling phase of maize, which was beneficial to the yield formation. In conclusion, HB maize shared an excellent capacity for tolerance and potential for fertilizer saving. The HB variety with its high yield and efficient nutrient utilization was suitable for the N and P co-limited fields. The finding can provide a scientific basis for the optimal selection of maize varieties and nutrient management.