Leveraging cover crop functional traits and nitrogen synchronization for yield-optimized waxy corn production systems

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Agronomy
• Soil Science

Background:

• Waxy corn monoculture depletes soil nutrients and compromises soil structure.
• Underutilization of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is a key issue in waxy corn production.
• Cover cropping offers a strategy to improve soil quality by utilizing residual resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the agronomic impacts of cover cropping on waxy corn canopy architecture and resource allocation.
• To evaluate the effects of rotation cropping with shamrock or rapeseed on waxy corn productivity and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE).
• To elucidate the interactions between cover cropping and nitrogen management in waxy corn systems.

Main Methods:

• Waxy corn (Wannuo 2000) was subjected to continuous monoculture (CK), shamrock rotation (ZT), or rapeseed rotation (ZB).
• Five nitrogen (N) application rates (0-240 kg N ha⁻¹) were applied under a randomized complete block design.
• Canopy characteristics, yield, and NUE were measured across treatments and N gradients.

Main Results:

• Cover cropping (ZT and ZB) increased waxy corn yields by over 20% compared to CK.
• ZT and ZB systems improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by up to 20.67% under reduced nitrogen conditions.
• Path analysis indicated synergistic effects of cover cropping and N management on canopy structure, biomass accumulation, and N remobilization.

Conclusions:

• Integrated cover crop-nitrogen management systems enhance waxy corn yield and NUE.
• These systems offer a dual benefit of environmental conservation and increased agricultural productivity.
• The study provides a framework for sustainable intensification of waxy corn production.