Genetic variation of maize hybrids in grain yield response to potassium and inhibiting nitrification

Nine maize hybrids were grown under five N levels with or without a nitrification inhibitor (nitrapyrin or an experimental inhibitor, XDE474) to evaluate the effect of inhibiting nitrification on grain yield performance and cannibalisation of nutrients from vegetative tissues during kernel maturation. Grain yield response of these hybrids also was evaluated under a paired combination of four N levels and two K levels. Hybrids responded differently to N, the form of N, and K treatments, and there appeared to be a genetic basis for preference of the form of N (ammonium versus nitrate nitrition). Crosses that involved the Mo17 family responded positively to inhibiting nitrification which provided a larger portion of the N in the ammonium form, but incorporation of early maturing genes reduced the positive response to ammonium nutrition. Like ammonium nutrition, maize hybrids showed a differential response to K treatments, and the availability of a large amount of K early in the growing season produced a negative effect on grain yield. The experimental nitrification inhibitor, XDE474, was more effective than nitrapyrin in increasing grain yield and minimising cannibalisation of nutrients in the leaf tissue.