Nitrogen response differences at the flowering stage of maize (Zea mays L.) affect nitrogen use efficiency: a physiological and pathway analysis of nitrogen uptake, photosynthetic characteristics, and carbohydrate synthesis.

IF 4 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Pub Date : 2026-10-27 DOI:10.1002/jsfa.71186

Fei Jin, Yinghao Zhang, Yuchen Shao, Yuanye Ma, Ran Li, Dan Liu, Ruixia Ding, Wennan Su, Qingfang Han

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Reducing nitrogen (N) inputs while maintaining crop yield aligns with sustainable development goals. It is therefore important to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying maize N use efficiency (NUE). The physiological traits and transcriptional profiles of two maize cultivars, 'Qiangsheng 101' (QS) (a low N-sensitive cultivar) and 'Zhengdan 958' (ZD) (a low N-tolerant cultivar), were analyzed at two N application rates: 150 kg ha^-1 (low N, LN) and 300 kg ha^-1 (normal N level, NN).

Results: Compared with LN-ZD, LN-QS showed reductions of 11.22% to 14.29% in grain yield (GY), 11.73% to 23.53% in NUE, and 13.11% to 15.97% in radiation use efficiency (RUE). Relative to LN-ZD, LN-QS showed a 17.14% to 17.60% reduction in the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) value and a 14.29% to 19.23% reduction in the net photosynthetic rate (Pn). Soluble sugar content decreased and starch content increased in LN-QS relative to LN-ZD (P < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between NN-ZD and NN-QS. Transcriptome analysis revealed downregulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in N metabolism, chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism in the comparison of LN-ZD with LN-QS. Notably, DEGs encoding nitrate reductase (NR) (Zm00001d039831), uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) (Zm00001d028083), protochlorophyllide reductase (POR) (Zm00001d001820), and sucrose synthase (SUS) (Zm00001d029091) may be key candidate genes responsible for the low efficiency of LN-QS.

Conclusion: Under low N conditions, the reduction in N uptake and metabolic capacity in QS led to diminished photosynthetic performance, which subsequently constrained carbon assimilation, ultimately reducing NUE and GY, while ZD remained stable. These results provide valuable insights for the optimization of N management strategies and the improvement of maize productivity. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

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玉米花期氮素响应差异影响氮素利用效率：氮素吸收、光合特性和碳水化合物合成的生理和途径分析。

背景：在保持作物产量的同时减少氮(N)投入符合可持续发展目标。因此，阐明玉米氮素利用效率的生理机制具有重要意义。以低氮敏感品种“强生101”（QS）和低耐氮品种“郑单958”（ZD）为材料，在150 kg ha-1（低氮，LN）和300 kg ha-1（正常氮水平，NN）施氮量下的生理性状和转录谱进行了分析。结果：与LN-ZD相比，LN-QS籽粒产量（GY）降低11.22% ~ 14.29%，NUE降低11.73% ~ 23.53%，辐射利用效率（RUE）降低13.11% ~ 15.97%。与LN-ZD相比，LN-QS处理的相对叶绿素含量（SPAD）降低了17.14% ~ 17.60%，净光合速率（Pn）降低了14.29% ~ 19.23%。短句来源结论：低氮条件下，籽粒氮素吸收和代谢能力的降低导致籽粒光合性能下降，抑制了籽粒碳同化，最终导致氮素利用效率和代谢能降低，而籽粒氮含量保持稳定。这些结果为优化氮素管理策略和提高玉米生产力提供了有价值的见解。©2026化学工业协会。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 工程技术-农业综合

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

4.90%

发文量

634

审稿时长

3.1 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture publishes peer-reviewed original research, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives and spotlights in these areas, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies at the agriculture/ food interface. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. SCI (Society of Chemical Industry) is a unique international forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. Anyone can join and current Members include consumers, business people, environmentalists, industrialists, farmers, and researchers. The Society offers a chance to share information between sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials, chemicals, environmental science and safety. As well as organising educational events, SCI awards a number of prestigious honours and scholarships each year, publishes peer-reviewed journals, and provides Members with news from their sectors in the respected magazine, Chemistry & Industry . Originally established in London in 1881 and in New York in 1894, SCI is a registered charity with Members in over 70 countries.