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Controlled-release urea optimizes the pathway to yield increase via post-anthesis carbon-nitrogen coordination in
Huan Li1, Yiming Zhu1, Menglin Bai1
1College of Agronomy, Henan Crop Chemical Control Engineering Research Center, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450046, China.
BMC Plant Biology
|May 28, 2026
Summary
Controlled-release urea (CCU) enhances maize yield by optimizing carbon and nitrogen metabolism, improving grain filling and dry matter accumulation. This fertilization strategy offers efficient nitrogen utilization for increased crop productivity.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Precise nitrogen management in maize post-anthesis is crucial for yield.
- Blending urea with controlled-release urea (CCU) offers a one-off application strategy.
- Understanding synergistic carbon-nitrogen regulation in maize remains a research gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate physiological and molecular mechanisms of carbon-nitrogen metabolism in maize.
- Evaluate the impact of different urea and CCU application ratios on maize.
- Identify key regulatory factors for yield enhancement through CCU.
Main Methods:
- Field experiment with five nitrogen fertilization treatments (CK, Urea, C1, C2, C3).
- Measurement of physiological traits related to yield and metabolism.
- Integrated leaf transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses (multi-omics).
Main Results:
- CCU (C2 treatment) significantly boosted maize yield (18.3-22.8%) compared to conventional urea.
- CCU synergistically enhanced nitrogen and carbon components, and total dry matter, positively correlated with C/N ratio.
- CCU optimized carbon-nitrogen allocation, increasing grain nitrogen reserves and carbon storage, with potential links to aromatic amino acid biosynthesis and TCA cycle.
Conclusions:
- CCU supports preferential assimilate distribution to grains via synergistic regulation of nitrogen release and carbon-nitrogen metabolism.
- This study provides insights into maize metabolism regulation for efficient nitrogen utilization.
- Findings guide optimized nitrogen management strategies for maize under one-off application.
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