Abstract:
Objectives There are inadequate research on the effect of tillage methods and nitrogen application rate for summer maize in the wheat-maize double cropping system, so we carried out the research and proposed a measurement utilizing the entropy weight method and the TOPSIS method to establish a comprehensive evaluation model. This model assesses the differences among treatment schemes, providing a theoretical basis for high-yield and efficient maize production in the wheat-maize double cropping region.
Methods From 2020 to 2022, a two-factor split plot field experiment was conducted in Mengjin District, Luoyang City, Henan Province, where was a typical dryland wheat-maize double cropping area in China. The main plots involved tillage practices before wheat sowing: rotary tillage (RT), ploughing (PT), and subsoiling (SS); and the subplots consisted of four N basal application rates: 0, 150, 210, and 270 kg/hm2 before maize sowing (denoted as N0, N150, N 210, and N270, respectively). At harvesting stage of maize each year, the maize yield and yield components, whole plant dry matter weight were investigated, and the N content in aboveground part was analyzed for calculation of N use efficiency. The entropy weight and TOPSIS methods were used to select the optimal combination of tillage and N rate.
Results Tillage methods, N rates, and their interaction showed a significant effect on maize yield, yield components, aboveground dry biomass and N accumulation, and N use efficiency. Compared with RT and PT, SS increased maize yield by 10.4% and 7.8%, dry aboveground biomass by 12.4% and 6.7%, N fertilizer partial productivity by14.4% and 10.3%, N fertilizer agronomic efficiency by 77.5% and 50.9%, and N fertilizer contribution rate by 52.7% and 34.5%. Under the same tillage practice, increasing N rate led to higher yield, dry biomass accumulation, N accumulation, N fertilizer agronomic efficiency, and N fertilizer contribution rate, but lower N uptake efficiency and N fertilizer partial productivity. Over the three years, compared with N270, N210 was recorded similar yield, dry matter accumulation, N accumulation, N internal efficiency, and N fertilizer contribution rate in maize, but 29.2%, 30.1% and 33.0% higher N uptake efficiency, N fertilizer partial productivity and N fertilizer agronomic efficiency, respectively. Considering the combination effects, the yield, dry matter and N accumulation of SSN210 were similar to those of SSN270, but 10.1%−70.4%, 7.0%−59.2%, and 6.1%−65.3% higher than those of the other treatments; the N fertilizer agronomic efficiency of SSN210 was 14.8%−237.9% higher than those of other treatments over the three years, except for that of SSN150 in 2021. Moreover, the 3-year average N internal efficiency and N fertilizer contribution rate were also higher than those under other treatments. Evaluated with TOPSIS method, the comprehensive value of tillage methods was in the order of SS>PT>RT under the same N rate, and the score of N210 was significantly higher than other N rates under the same tillage practice.
Conclusions The combination of subsoiling in wheat season and basal application of N 210 kg/hm2 in maize season is recommended for maize in the arid wheat-maize double cropping region.