Mineral nitrogen fertilization and stover management effects on maize production under irrigated mediterranean conditions. Simulation of yields

Abstract

The optimal N application rates were investigated with the effects of stover management on maize production and its possible interaction with N fertilization. A field experiment was conducted from 2010 to 2014. The rates of mineral N fertilization applied were: 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg N ha-1 year-1. Our results suggested that grain yield, biomass, grain and plant N uptake and SPAD-units were all greatly affected by N fertilization rates. Maximum yield values (19.93 and 19.20 Mg ha−1) were achieved with N application rates of 200 kg ha-1. Our results suggested that returning stover to the soil over a period of five years had a positive impact on SOC (soil organic matter) levels, without any yield penalties. We evaluated the performance of the CSM–CERES and CSM-IXIM maize models in their DSSAT to simulate high yielding conditions and we also tested the IXIM model using an alternative approach.