Optimising the root traits of summer maize to improve nutrient uptake and utilisation through rational application of urea ammonium nitrate solution

The production of summer maize is greatly affected by nitrogen (N) sources through regulating root growth and distribution. Four N treatments in the field experiment were designed as UAN (urea ammonium nitrate solution was applied under traditional side-dressing method), urea UWFI (UAN underwater fertiliser integration technology) CK (no applied). results showed that length density, surface area density volume DH605 (mid-late hybrid) DH518 (mid-early higher than other treatments, especially shallow layers. absorption each soil layer application varied with stage. grain yield accumulations N, P K shoots trend > CK. Compared urea, agronomic efficiency treatment increased 40.5~78.6%, partial factor productivity 4.75~7.61%. Consequently, rational would improve traits, nutrient uptake utilisation, maize.