NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN DEVELOPING MAIZE GRAINS

A 2-year (1989,1990) experiment was conducted in the Carpathian Basin near Keszthely, Hungary to evaluate the course of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations in the developing grain. Two maize hybrids were grown at four rates of N application (0, 50, 150 and 250 kg N ha-1). Plots had been fertilized at these levels since 1983. As a result of the long-term N treatments, stocks of P and K in the soil decreased as the rate of N application increased. As expected, concentrations of N in the mature grains were higher at high doses of N, whereas the rate of N application had little impact on the P and K concentrations in the ripe grains. Only in 1989, when grain yield showed a relatively stronger response to applications of N than in 1990, were the concentrations of P and, to a lesser extent, K reduced by additions of N. These results illustrate that P and K concentrations in the grain are well-buffered against increments in grain yield resulting from the application of N and are also relatively insensitive to low supplies of P and K in the soil. In both hybrids, concentrations of N, P and especially K declined considerably with ongoing grain filling, irrespective of N treatment. Differences in concentrations of P and K for hybrids existed but were not consistent across years.