Dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) transport from nutritive organs to the grain is critical for cereal crop yield and protein content. There is limited research on the effects of slow-release or controlled-release fertilizers on dry matter and nitrogen partitioning in the nutrient organs of spring corn. A field trial was conducted in the National Corn Industry Technology System Xinzhou Comprehensive Experiment Station, China. The effects of different fertilizer management on yield, photosynthetic capacity, and nutrient partitioning of spring maize were studied. We modeled local farmers’ planting and management practices (T3). Based on T3, we added a slow-release compound fertilizer (T2), which does not require a follow-up fertilizer, and a controlled-release formulated fertilizer (T1), which is highly efficient and has low carbon emissions. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (Gs), and intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) were 23%, 18.5%, 18%, 10.5% and 19%, 10.9%, 7%, and 5.5% higher in T1 compared to those of T3 and T2, respectively, at the ripening stage. The contribution of post-flowering DM transport to the kernel of T1 was 46% and 41.4% higher than that of T3 and T2, respectively. The nitrogen content of the kernel of T1 was 35.2% and 18.5% higher than that of T3 and T2, respectively. After a comprehensive analysis, T1 prolonged the photosynthetic effect through adequate nitrogen supply, provided nutrients to the kernel, promoted maize nitrogen uptake and utilization, and ultimately improved yield.

Introduction: Plastic film mulching is a critical practice in arid agroecosystems, yet its spatiotemporal impacts on the rhizosphere microbiome remain poorly understood. Methods: Here, we investigated how no-mulching (CK), on-film hole sowing (UPM), and film-side planting (FPM) shape the bacterial and fungal communities in the maize rhizosphere across developmental stages (V12 and R6) and soil depths (10, 20, and 30 cm). Results: Concurrently, both mulching strategies increased maize yield relative to CK, with FPM ultimately outperforming UPM (19.05% vs. 6.24%). Amplicon sequencing showed that mulching strongly structured the rhizosphere microbiome with clear spatiotemporal variation. Bacterial and fungal communities exhibited contrasting patterns: bacteria responded mainly in topsoil at V12 and across all depths by R6, whereas fungi responded across the soil profile at V12, with responses weakening with depth at R6. Mulching—particularly UPM—reduced key taxa, including the nitrifying genus Nitrospira and symbiotic Glomeromycota . Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between these taxonomic shifts and maize yield components, consistent with Nitrospira’s preference for aerobic conditions. Functional predictions suggested UPM favored communities with higher representation of anaerobic decomposition pathways, whereas FPM supported greater potential for aerobic heterotrophy and nitrogen-related processes. Discussion: Although microbial shifts were correlated with yield components, yield increases were likely dominated by the direct physical effects of mulching. Overall, distinct mulching strategies generated divergent rhizosphere trajectories, with FPM potentially offering a more sustainable option for dryland maize production.

Instant cereal powders often suffer from poor reconstitution and caking during preparation. This study investigated the effects of twin-screw extrusion and particle-size regulation on the reconstitution properties and structural characteristics of yellow waxy corn flour. Nine extrusion treatments (140–180 °C; 12–18% feed moisture) and four particle-size fractions (40–80 mesh) were screened using caking rate and suspension stability as evaluation indices; no formal process optimization was performed. Three 60-mesh samples produced at 180 °C with different feed moisture levels were then selected as representative treatments for mechanistic characterization. Compared with native flour, the extruded samples showed lower caking, improved suspension stability, and substantially higher water absorption. SEM and DSC analyses demonstrated conversion of intact granules into a porous matrix and a marked decrease in residual gelatinization enthalpy, whereas XRD showed retention of the A-type diffraction pattern. FTIR spectra were broadly similar among samples and did not indicate formation of new major functional groups. These results connect extrusion-induced granular and thermal changes with improved hydration and provide a basis for developing clean-label instant waxy corn products without chemical anti-caking agents.

In the spring maize cropping system, film-side sowing technology can improve crop yield stability and film recycling in the dry farming zone by optimizing the film cover pattern, resulting in a synergistic effect of moisture conservation, yield enhancement, and on-farm film residue management. However, the effect on the resistance to lodging is not clear. Consequently, a two-year agricultural trial was designed to evaluate how distinct ground-cover cultivation strategies influence root architecture, biomechanical performance, lodging incidence, grain production efficiency, and economic profitability. Three treatment factors were used in the experiment: planting without mulching (CK), planting under plastic-film mulch (UPM), and film-side sowing (FSS). The results showed that breaking strength and up rooting strength of FSS and UPM were increased by 46%, 37.2% and 53.1%, 47.2%, respectively, compared with CK. At the physiological maturity (R6), the root length density (RLD), root surface area density (RSAD), and root dry weight density (RDWD) rooting indicator of FSS were significantly higher than in UPM and CK within the shallow subsurface zone (0–20 cm), with increases of 76.5%, 66%, 65% and 35.5%, 33.6%, 39.6%, respectively. Likewise, the root indicators of FSS were 50.9%, 92.4%, and 68.5% larger than those of CK in the intermediate pedogenic zone (20–40 cm depth), respectively. However, apart from FSS, the among treatments within the deeper soil layer (40–60 cm interval) were not significantly different. The rate of lodging was significantly adversely correlated with the mechanical qualities (breaking strength, uprooting strength, and rind penetration strength), while root properties correlated well with these factors. In addition, the differences in root system indicators affected crop yield, which increased by 14.2% and 5% in FSS and UPM, respectively, compared with CK. Collectively, the highest seed yield and benefit and the lowest rate of lodging were observed under FSS conditions. The findings of this experiment will help to improve the cultivation measures to increase the resistance of spring maize to lodging.