Dynamics of dry matter production and potassium uptake of maize

in a long-term field experiment on chernozem soil

1I. VÁGÓ, 1M. SIPOS, 2L. TOLNER, 3B. EICHLER-LÖBERMANN and 2I. CZINKOTA

1Institute of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, University of Debrecen, Debrecen

2Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Szent István University, Gödöllő

3Institute of Plant Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock (Germany)

The effects of genotypes, nutrient and water supply on the dry matter production and potassium uptake dynamics of maize (Zea mays L.) were studied on chernozem soil in the Debrecen-Látókép long-term field experiment (Eastern Hungary).

According to the experimental results and calculations it can be concluded that – in addition to the previously used and considered soil and plant nutrient contents – the calculation of the plant-extracted nutrient amount (depending on the applied hybrid, NPK nutrient levels and water supply) is suggested to enable the characterization of the growth and nutrient demand dynamics of maize genotypes. This parameter gives information not only about the available nutrient amount at a given sampling time, but about the supply level of plants up to the sampling time as well. For the proper characterization of the mentioned dynamics of maize plants authors suggest to take the following sampling times into consideration: the intensive vegetative growth period, the switch between the vegetative and generative growth phases (silking), and the grain filling phase.

Keywords: chernozem, Zea mays L., biomass production, potassium uptake dynamics