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Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
Published on: May 10, 2020
Response of Maize Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency to Integrated Cover Crop Rotation and Nitrogen Management
Wei Qi1, Long Zhang1, Qila Sa1
1College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng St., Changchun 130118, China.
Rotational cover cropping with maize significantly boosts grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). This practice allows for reduced nitrogen fertilizer application while maintaining high crop yields.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Agronomy
- Soil Science
Background:
- Conservation agriculture practices are crucial for sustainable farming.
- Rotational cover cropping is a key strategy within conservation agriculture.
- Optimizing nitrogen (N) management alongside crop rotations is vital for enhancing crop productivity and environmental stewardship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maize-crop rotation with cover crops (rapeseed and rye) and varying nitrogen fertilizer rates on maize yield.
- To assess the effects on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and key physiological traits of maize.
- To determine the potential for cover crops to reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirements in maize production.
Main Methods:
- A three-year field experiment (2023-2025) using a split-plot design.
- Main plots: continuous maize monoculture (CK), maize-rapeseed rotation (CC-Ra), and maize-rye rotation (CC-Ry).
- Subplots: five nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 75, 150, 225, 300 kg ha⁻¹).
Main Results:
- Maize-rapeseed and maize-rye rotations increased average grain yield by 5.93% and 12.89%, respectively, compared to continuous maize.
- Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) improved by 8.09% (CC-Ra) and 2.89% (CC-Ry).
- Rotational systems at 225 kg N ha⁻¹ achieved yields comparable to continuous maize at 300 kg N ha⁻¹, indicating reduced N fertilizer needs.
Conclusions:
- Rotational cover cropping significantly enhances maize yield and nitrogen use efficiency.
- Cover crops can partially substitute for nitrogen fertilizer inputs without compromising yield.
- Balancing source-sink dynamics is essential to maximize the benefits of rotational cover cropping in maize systems.
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