{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]],"date-time":"2026-05-22T07:05:28Z","timestamp":1779433528572,"version":"3.53.1"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]],"date-time":"2026-05-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1779408000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Plant Sci."],"abstract":"\n Context<\/jats:title>\n Fresh waxy maize is a unique type of maize harvested at the late R3 stage. Both fresh ear yield and weight per ear determine its economic value. Nitrogen (N) application and planting density are the two major agronomic practice factors influencing maize growth and yield; however, optimal values for fresh waxy maize remain poorly defined, particularly in rain-fed areas.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objective<\/jats:title>\n The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effects of planting density and N application rate on fresh ear yield, in addition to dry matter (DM) and N accumulation and partitioning, and to identify the primary drivers of the effects in fresh waxy maize.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n \n A two-year field experiment was conducted in Shanxi province, China, using a split-plot design with three replicates. N application rate (0, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n ) was the main factor and planting density (45, 000 and 60, 000 plants ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n ) was the second factor.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n \n Increasing planting density from 45, 000 to 60, 000 plants ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n imposed a trade-off: it suppressed dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation per plant while boosting total DM and N accumulation at population level. However, the optimal N application rate (180 kg ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n ) alleviated the negative effects of high planting density (60, 000 plants ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n ), ensuring that weight per ear was comparable to that under low density (45, 000 plants ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n ). The combination of 180\u00a0kg N ha\n -1<\/jats:sup>\n and 60, 000 plants ha\n -1<\/jats:sup>\n achieved the highest fresh ear yield, demonstrating an effective balance between individual performance and population gain. Therefore, the 180 kg ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n N and 60, 000 plants ha\n \u22121<\/jats:sup>\n combination is recommended as an efficient management strategy for improving fresh waxy maize productivity and N partial factor productivity.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n The findings of the present study provide practical guidance for integrated management of N and planting density in fresh waxy maize to regulate DM, N and yield in the study area and in other regions with similar climatic conditions.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpls.2026.1831472","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]],"date-time":"2026-05-22T06:12:00Z","timestamp":1779430320000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Balancing individual trade-offs for population gain: optimizing nitrogen and density secures fresh ear yield in rain-fed waxy maize"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Chunxia","family":"Jiang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Shanxi Institute of Organic Dryland Farming, Shanxi Agricultural University","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Sustainable Dryland Agriculture of Shanxi Province","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jiangning","family":"Yu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University","place":["Jinzhong, Shanxi, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Huatao","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shanxi Institute of Organic Dryland Farming, Shanxi Agricultural University","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Sustainable Dryland Agriculture of Shanxi Province","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Na","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shanxi Institute of Organic Dryland Farming, Shanxi Agricultural University","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Sustainable Dryland Agriculture of Shanxi Province","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Enke","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Shanxi Institute of Organic Dryland Farming, Shanxi Agricultural University","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]},{"name":"Key Laboratory of Sustainable Dryland Agriculture of Shanxi Province","place":["Taiyuan, Shanxi, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvman.2024.122880","article-title":"The impact of nitrogen fertilizer application on air pollution: evidence from China","volume":"370","author":"Ai","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Environ. Manage."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2973","DOI":"10.3864\/j.issn.0578-1752.2022.15.009","article-title":"Quantitative study on effective accumulated temperature and dry matter and nitrogen accumulation of summer maize under different nitrogen supply levels","volume":"55","author":"Chen","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci. Agric. Sin."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1035","DOI":"10.11674\/zwyf.19392","article-title":"Increasing planting density and decreasing nitrogen rate increase yield and nitrogen use efficiency of summer maize","volume":"26","author":"Cheng","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Plant Nutr. Fert."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"363","DOI":"10.1038\/nature25785","article-title":"Pursuing sustainable productivity with millions of smallholder farmers","volume":"555","author":"Cui","year":"2018","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envc.2021.100417","article-title":"Planting date and plant density effects on maize growth, yield and water use efficiency","volume":"6","author":"Djaman","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environ. Chall."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2023.108874","article-title":"Nitrogen partitioning in maize organs and underlined mechanisms from different plant density levels and N application rate in China","volume":"294","author":"Duan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1709","DOI":"10.3864\/j.issn.0578-1752.2024.09.007","article-title":"Compensation potential of dense planting on nitrogen reduction in maize yield in Oasis Irrigation Area","volume":"57","author":"Fan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sci. Agric. Sin."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2023.108927","article-title":"Nitrogen availability determines the vertical patterns of accumulation, partitioning, and reallocation of dry matter and nitrogen in maize","volume":"297","author":"Fan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1614","DOI":"10.11674\/zwyf.2021673","article-title":"Effects of mixing controlled-release and normal urea on yield, nitrogen absorption and utilization in waxy maize","volume":"28","author":"Gao","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Plant Nutr. Fert."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.agwat.2021.107389","article-title":"Coupling effects of irrigation amount and nitrogen fertilizer type on grain yield, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency of drip-irrigated maize","volume":"261","author":"Guo","year":"2022","journal-title":"Agric. Water Manage."},{"key":"B11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jafr.2025.102461","article-title":"Boosting maize yield under water reduction: synergistic effects of increased planting density and sustained nitrogen input on photo\u2013physiological characteristics","volume":"24","author":"Guo","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Agric. Food Res."},{"key":"B12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpls.2021.726568","article-title":"Photosynthetic physiological characteristics of water and nitrogen coupling for enhanced high-density tolerance and increased yield of maize in arid irrigation regions","volume":"12","author":"Guo","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front. Plant Sci."},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.geoderma.2023.116325","article-title":"The effects of plant density and nitrogen fertilization on maize yield and soil microbial communities in the black soil region of Northeast China","volume":"430","author":"Hou","year":"2023","journal-title":"Geoderma"},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2024.109615","article-title":"Historical increases of maize leaf area index in the US Corn Belt due primarily to plant density increases","volume":"318","author":"Kalogeropoulos","year":"2024","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"605","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2025.109837","article-title":"Synergistic effects of planting density and nitrogen fertilization on chlorophyll degradation and leaf senescence after silking in maize","volume":"12","author":"Lan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Crop J."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1471","DOI":"10.3390\/agronomy14071470","article-title":"Effects of planting density and nitrogen nanagement on light and nitrogen resource utilization efficiency and yield of summer maize in the Sichuan Hilly Region","volume":"14","author":"Lei","year":"2024","journal-title":"Agronomy"},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1959","DOI":"10.3864\/j.issn.0578-1752.2020.10.004","article-title":"Effects of tillage, nitrogen application, planting density and their interaction on soil moisture and yield formation of spring maize in dryland","volume":"53","author":"Li","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Agric. Sin."},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/metabo12100935","article-title":"Optimized fertilization practices Improved rhizosphere soil chemical and bacterial properties and fresh waxy maize yield","volume":"12","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"Metabolites"},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"853","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cj.2021.11.006","article-title":"How delaying post-silking senescence in lower leaves of maize plants increases carbon and nitrogen accumulation and grain yield","volume":"10","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"Crop J."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eja.2025.127745","article-title":"Yield gaps and the driving factors under different plant density of spring maize in North China Plain","volume":"170","author":"Li","year":"2025","journal-title":"Eur. J. Agron."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0277547","article-title":"Effects of plant density on the aboveground dry matter and radiation-use efficiency of field corn","volume":"17","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"PloS One"},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jia.2026.03.015","article-title":"Under reduced nitrogen fertilizer conditions, increasing wheat planting density to enhance sink capacity for achieving high productivity","author":"Li","year":"2026","journal-title":"J. Integr. Agric"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eja.2023.126871","article-title":"Optimizing nitrogen management enhances stalk lodging resistance and grain yield in dense planting maize by improving canopy light distribution","volume":"148","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur. J. Agron."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.resconrec.2022.106656","article-title":"A global analysis of dry matter accumulation and allocation for maize yield breakthrough from 1.0 to 25.0 Mg ha1","volume":"188","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Resour. Conserv. Recycl."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2020.107720","article-title":"Dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, partitioning, and translocation in synthetic-derived wheat cultivars under nitrogen deficiency at the post-jointing stage","volume":"248","author":"Liu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0148582","article-title":"Canopy apparent photosynthetic characteristics and yield of two spike-type wheat cultivars in response to row spacing under high plant density","volume":"11","author":"Liu","year":"2016","journal-title":"PloS One"},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1053","DOI":"10.3724\/SP.J.1006.2024.33038","article-title":"Effects of organic fertilizer substituting chemical fertilizer nitrogen on yield, quality, and nitrogen efficiency of waxy maize","volume":"50","author":"Lou","year":"2024","journal-title":"Acta Agron. Sin."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.agwat.2024.109125","article-title":"Optimizing the nitrogen application rate and planting density to improve dry matter yield, water productivity and N-use efficiency of forage maize in a rainfed region","volume":"305","author":"Lu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Agric. Water Manage."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.2134\/agronj2017.02.0112","article-title":"Strengths and limitations of nitrogen rate recommendations for corn and opportunities for improvement","volume":"110","author":"Morris","year":"2018","journal-title":"Agron. J."},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/plants10061222","article-title":"Dry matter gains in maize kernels are dependent on their nitrogen accumulation rates and duration during grain filling","volume":"10","author":"Olmedo Pico","year":"2021","journal-title":"Plants"},{"key":"B31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4195","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jia.2024.05.031","article-title":"Long-term excessive nitrogen application decreases spring maize nitrogen use efficiency via suppressing root physiological characteristics","volume":"24","author":"Ren","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Integr. Agric."},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2024.109430","article-title":"How does increasing planting density regulate biomass production, allocation, and remobilization of maize temporally and spatially: a global meta-analysis","volume":"315","author":"Shao","year":"2024","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2515","DOI":"10.1016\/S2095-3119(16)61355-2","article-title":"Increased plant density and reduced N rate lead to more grain yield and higher resource utilization in summer maize","volume":"15","author":"Shi","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Integr. Agric."},{"key":"B34","first-page":"15","article-title":"Waxy maize industry advantages in China and opportunities in the development of the Belt and Road","volume":"2","author":"Shi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Crops"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2017.09.029","article-title":"Sink-source relationship during rice grain filling is associated with grain nitrogen concentration","volume":"215","author":"Wei","year":"2018","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1005","DOI":"10.1016\/S2095-3119(15)61163-7","article-title":"Comparative proteomic analysis provides new insights into ear leaf senescence of summer maize (Zea mays L.) under field condition","volume":"15","author":"Wei","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Integr. Agric."},{"key":"B37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eja.2024.127223","article-title":"Reducing fertilization with high planting density increases maize yield stability and nitrogen use efficiency in semi-arid areas","volume":"159","author":"Wu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Eur. J. Agron."},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5300","DOI":"10.1002\/jsfa.12602","article-title":"Combination of suitable planting density and nitrogen rate for high yield maize and their source-sink relationship in Northwest China","volume":"103","author":"Wu","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Sci. Food Agric."},{"key":"B39","first-page":"45","article-title":"Effect on yield of waxy corn in different nitrogen fertilizer and density in seasonal arid region","author":"Xiao","year":"2012","journal-title":"Soil Fert. Sci. China"},{"key":"B40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpls.2017.01234","article-title":"Manipulating planting density and nitrogen fertilizer application to improve yield and reduce environmental impact in Chinese maize production","volume":"8","author":"Xu","year":"2017","journal-title":"Front. Plant Sci."},{"key":"B41","first-page":"6","article-title":"Effects of the three ear leaves on photosynthetic physiological characteristics, kernel development, and yield traits of summer maize","volume":"64","author":"Xu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Shaanxi J. Agric. Sci."},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2652","DOI":"10.1093\/plphys\/kiae204","article-title":"Photosynthetic capacity and assimilate transport of the lower canopy influence maize yield under high planting density","volume":"195","author":"Yan","year":"2024","journal-title":"Plant Physiol."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fcr.2025.109837","article-title":"Optimizing water and nitrogen supply can regulate the dynamics of dry matter accumulation in maize, thereby promoting dry matter accumulation and increasing yield","volume":"326","author":"Yang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Field Crop Res."},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2258","DOI":"10.11674\/zwyf.2023220","article-title":"Optimum combination of planting density and fertilization mode for high yield","volume":"29","author":"Yao","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Plant Nutr. Fert."},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.still.2022.105317","article-title":"Tillage and nitrogen supply affects maize yield by regulating photosynthetic capacity, hormonal changes and grain filling in the Loess Plateau","volume":"218","author":"Yue","year":"2022","journal-title":"Soil Tillage Res."},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2235","DOI":"10.1016\/S2095-3119(18)61917-3","article-title":"Evaluation and analysis of intraspecific competition in maize: a case study on plant density experiment","volume":"17","author":"Zhai","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Integr. Agric."},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/agronomy12061308","article-title":"Nitrogen application and dense planting to obtain high yields from maize","volume":"12","author":"Zhai","year":"2022","journal-title":"Agronomy"},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1016\/j.agee.2015.03.002","article-title":"Overcoming nitrogen fertilizer over-use through technical and advisory approaches: A case study from Shaanxi Province, northwest China","volume":"209","author":"Zhang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Agric. Ecosyst. Environ."},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"406","DOI":"10.5004\/dwt.2020.25294","article-title":"Water limited stress at jointing stage on fresh waxy maize yield and its interactions with plant density under field conditions","volume":"188","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Desalin. Water Treat."}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Plant Science"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpls.2026.1831472\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]],"date-time":"2026-05-22T06:12:12Z","timestamp":1779430332000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpls.2026.1831472\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]]},"references-count":49,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpls.2026.1831472"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpls.2026.1831472","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-462X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-462X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]]},"article-number":"1831472"}}