Daniel Plénet

Relationships between dynamics of nitrogen uptake and dry matter accumulation in maize crops. Determination of critical N concentration

AbstractThe concept of critical nitrogen concentration(%Nc) has been proposed as the minimum%N in shoots required to produce the maximum aerial biomassat a given time. Several authors have shown that%Nc declines as a function of aerial biomassaccumulation (W) and the %Nc –W relationship has been proposed as a diagnostic tool of N statusin different crops, excluding maize. From data obtained in five nitrogenfertilisation experiments in irrigated maize crops, 26 critical data-pointswere selected with a precise statistical procedure. An allometric relationwas fitted and a critical %N−W relationshipmodel is proposed in maize as:If W < 1 t ha-1%Nc = 3.40If 1 t ha-1≤ W ≤ 22 t ha-1%Nc = 3.40(W)−0.37 The model is applicable to maize crop development between emergenceand silking + 25 days. The model was tested and validated with dataobtained in a network of 17 N fertilisation experiments conducted inFrance under contrasting pedoclimatic conditions. In only nineout of 280 data-points (3.2%), the plant N status was mispredictedwhen ±5% error around %Nc wasallowed. A critical N uptake model (Nuc, kg Nha-1) is proposed asNuc = 34 (W)0.63A comparison between Nuc and N uptake observedin N treatments giving the maximal grain yields has shown that maizecrops assimilate at least 30 kg N ha-1 in a storage N poolat the silking stage. The significance of the critical%N−W and Nu−W relationships is discussed in relation to theoretical models proposed inwhole plant ecophysiology. Different relationships calculated betweenleaf area index and aerial biomass accumulation, and between N uptakeand leaf area were consistent with previous results for other crops.This strengthens the interest of the critical%N−W relationship for use as diagnostictool of nitrogen status in maize crops.

Growth analysis of maize field crops under phosphorus deficiency. II. Radiation-use efficiency, biomass accumulation and yield components

Biomass accumulation by crops depends on both light interception by leaves and on the efficiency with which the intercepted light is used to produce dry matter. Our aim was to identify which of these processes were affected for maize (Zea mays L., cv Volga) field crops grown under phosphorus (P) deficiency. In the preceding paper (Plénet et al., 2000), it was shown that P deficiency severely reduced leaf growth. In this paper, the effect of P deficiency on the radiation-use efficiency (RUE) was investigated. The experimental work was carried out in 1995, 1996 and 1997 on a long-term P fertilisation trial located on a sandy soil in the south-west of France. Three P fertilisation regimes have been applied since 1972: no- P (P0 treatment) and different rates of P fertiliser (P1.5: 1.5 times the grain P export and P3: 3 times the grain P export). These fertilisation regimes have led to contrasted levels of soil P supply. Only slight differences were observed between the P1.5 and P3 treatment for above-ground biomass accumulation and grain yield. Conversely the grain yield was significantly reduced in P0 (−11%). Above-ground biomass production was severely reduced, with the maximum difference between treatment (−60% in P0) occurring between 400 and 600 °C days after sowing. The lower biomass production in P0 was accounted for by the reduced amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) absorbed by the canopy, which was itself the consequence of the reduced leaf area index (see Plénet et al., 2000). The calculated RUE were found to depend on the plant stage, especially during the pre-flowering period, and on the average air temperature. No effect of P deficiency was observed on the calculated RUE, even during the period when above-ground biomass accumulation was the most severely reduced. These results obtained in field crop conditions strengthen the idea that P deficiency affects plant growth, especially leaf growth, earlier and to a greater extent than photosynthesis per unit leaf area.

Growth analysis of maize field crops under phosphorus deficiency. I. Leaf growth.

Biomass accumulation by crops depends both on light interception by leaves and on the efficiency with which the intercepted light is used to produce dry matter. Our aim was to identify which of these processes were affected for maize (Zea Mays L., cv Volga) field crops grown under phosphorus (P) deficiency, and assess their relative importance. In this paper, the effects of P deficiency on leaf appearance, leaf elongation rate, final individual leaf area and leaf senescence were studied. The experimental work was carried out in 1995–1977 on a long-term P fertilisation trial located on a sandy soil in the south-west of France. Three P fertilisation regimes have been applied since 1972: no-P (P0 treatment) and different rates of P fertiliser (P1.5:1.5 times the grain P export and P3:3 times the grain P export). These fertilisation regimes have led to contrasted levels of soil P supply, with the P0 treatment being limiting for growth. Very few differences were observed about leaf growth between the P1.5 and P3 treatments. Conversely, the leaf area index (LAI) was significantly reduced in the P0 treatment, especially during the first phases of the crop cycle (up to −60% between the 7- and 14-visible leaves). This effect gradually decreased over time. The lower LAI in P0 treatment was due to two main processes affecting the leaf growth. The final number of leaves per plant and leaf senescence were only slightly modified by P deficiency. Conversely, leaf appearance was delayed during the period between leaf 4 and leaf 9. The value of the phyllochron increased from 47 °C days in the P1.5 treatment to 65 °C days in the P0 treatment. Leaf elongation rates during the quasi-linear phase of leaf expansion were significantly reduced for lower leaves of P0 plants. The final size of leaves L2–L12 was reduced. On the opposite, leaf elongation duration was not greatly affected by P treatments. Before the emergence of leaf 9, the reduction of individual leaf size was the main factor responsible for the reduced LAI in the P0 treatment. After this stage, the delayed leaf appearance accounted for a great part of the reduced LAI in the P0 treatment.

Diagnosis Using Stem Base Extract: JUBIL Method

In this chapter, the principle and validation of the JUBIL method are presented. The value and limits of this method for winter wheat and maize crops are then analyzed. This research was carried out in collaboration with ITCF5 and AGPM6.