Crop models can be useful tools ibr optimizing fertilizer management for a targeted crop yield while minimizing nutrient losses. In this paper, the parameters of the decision support system for agrotechnology transfer （DSSAT）-CERES-Maize were optimized using a new method to provide a better simulation of maize （Zea mays L.） growth and N upfake in response to different nitrogen application rates. Field data were collected from a 5 yr field experiment （2006-2010） on a Black soil （Typic hapludoll） in Gongzhuling, Jilin Province, Northeast China. After cultivar calibration, the CERES-Maize model was able to simulate aboveground biomass and crop yield of in the evaluation data set （n-RMSE=5.0-14.6%）, but the model still over-estimated aboveground N uptake （i.e., with E values from -4.4 to -21.3 kg N ha-~）. By analyzing DSSAT equation, N stress coefficient for changes in concentration with growth stage （CTCNP2） is related to N uptake. Further sensitivity analysis of the CTCNP2 showed that the DSSAT model simulated maize nitrogen uptake more precisely after the CTCNP2 coefficient was adjusted to the field site condition. The results indicated that in addition to calibrating 6 coefficients of maize cultivars, radiation use efficiency （RUE）, growing degree days for emergence （GDDE）, N stress coefficient, CTCNP2, and soil fertility factor （SLPF） also need to be calibrated in order to simulate aboveground biomass, yield and N uptake correctly. Independent validation was conducted using 2008-2010 experiments and the good agreement between the simulated and the measured results indicates that the DSSAT CERES-Maize model could be a useful tool for predicting maize production in Northeast China.
LIU Hai-longYANG Jing-yiHE PingBAI You-luJIN Ji-yunCraig F DruryZHU Ye-pingYANGXue-mingLI Wen-juanXIE Jia-guiYANG Jing-minGerrit Hoogenboom
To study the mechanism of potassium （K） application on improvement of maize resistance to stalk rot at cellular level, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to observe the effect of K on the ultrastructure of maize stalk pith tissue and young root tip cell influenced by K and pathogen. In K deficient treatment, parenchyma cells of stalk pith had abnormal structure, and the cell wall between upper and lower adjacent cell was damaged, resulting in the loss of connections between vascular cells and insufficient supporting capacity. However, an improved K nutrition helped to keep a quite tight arrangement of root cell with thick cell wall, and prevent the invasion of pathogen effectively. Moreover, K treated root cell had abundant golgi apparatus, which could excrete large amount of secretions to degrade mycelium. Papillary and highly electronic intensity dot were accumulated at the invading point to prevent the deveJopment of the mycelium. Improved K nutrition could increase the resistant ability of maize plant to stalk rot, through keeping cell structure stability, preventing the expansion of intracellular space to reduce the chances of pathogen invasions, and through reinforcing cell wall and formation of intercellular and intracellular material to restrict further development of pathogen in host cell.
