Effect of fertilization under different land preparation methods on corn yield, water and nitrogen use efficiency

The effect of fertilization under different land preparation methods, such as flat, ridge, and localized compaction and ridge land preparation method (LCR) on corn (Zea mays L.) yields, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE), was studied by a two-year field experiment. The results showed that the yields and its main factors such as weight of an ear, grains of an ear and weight of 500 grains, were slightly influenced by fertilization under different land preparation methods because the water movement and distribution was changed by land preparation methods. The yield and its main factors of flat were less than that of ridge and LCR. Compared with flat, the corn grain yields of ridge and LCR were increased by 4.2%～6.3% and 9.5%～10.3%. However, there was little difference between yields and its main factors of ridge and LCR. Otherwise, the NUE and plant nitrogen distribution were significantly affected by fertilization under different land preparation methods. Compared with flat, the NUE was increased by 9.1%～9.6% under LCR land preparation method, and the NUE was increased by more than 5% compared with traditional ridge land preparation method. The grain nitrogen content was enhanced by LCR land preparation method. No significant effects on WUE of corn by land preparation methods were found in this experiment.