Journal of Tianjin Agricultural University ›› 2026, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (5): 17-25.doi: 10.19640/j.cnki.jtau.2026.05.003

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Effects of light and nitrogen interaction on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in maize during the jointing stage

Zhang Shun1, Zheng Qing1, Wu Yun2, Liu Jinfeng2, Zhou Peilu1,Corresponding Author, Tang Xian1   

  1. 1. College of Agronomy and Resource Environment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300392, China;
    2. Tianjin Wuqing District Agricultural Development Service Center, Tianjin 301700, China
  • Received:2025-03-28 Published:2026-11-02

Abstract: To investigate the effects of light intensity, nitrogen application and their interaction on maize growth and photosynthetic physiology during the jointing stage, a study was conducted using two maize cultivars(‘ZD958’ and ‘XY335’)under two nitrogen levels(0 kg/hm² and 150 kg/hm²)and two shading treatments(80% shading vs. natural light). The results showed that compared to the control(N1 treatment), low nitrogen(N0), shading(SN1)and combined low nitrogen+shading(SN0)treatments significantly reduced leaf area, dry matter accumulation, net photosynthetic rate(Pn), intercellular CO2 concentration(Ci)and stomatal conductance(Gs)in both cultivars. SPAD values decreased under N0 and SN1 treatments, but increased after 10 days under SN0. The K-point of OJIP curves showed changes under stress treatments: fluorescence intensity at the K-point increased in ‘XY335’(SN1>SN0>N0), whereas it decreased in ‘ZD958’(SN0>SN1>N0). Further analysis showed that parameters such as ABS/RC, DIo/RC, TRo/RC and ETo/RC increased in ‘XY335’ under low N stress, but decreased in ‘ZD958’. Both cultivars showed reduced parameters under shading and combined treatments. Among the PSII performance parameters, φPo, φEo and ψEo showed no significant differences among treatments and cultivars. Under low N stress, ‘XY335’ showed increased φRo and δRo, while ‘ZD958’ showed the opposite trend. Under shade and combined treatments, φRo and δRo generally decreased while PIABS generally increased in both cultivars. In summary, under low nitrogen, shading, and their combination, maize balances electron transport by regulating PSII donor/acceptor-side activities and reaction-center energy allocation, which is an important reason for the regulation of photosynthetic capacity and varietal differences in stress tolerance.

Key words: maize, weak light, nitrogen, photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters

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