Optimizing Planting Density and Nitrogen Application Enhances Root Lodging Resistance and Yield via Improved Post-Anthesis Light Distribution in Sweet Corn

TL;DR

Adjusting planting density and nitrogen levels in sweet corn improves root strength, lodging resistance, and yield by optimizing light distribution in the plant canopy.

Contribution

This study reveals how coordinated nitrogen and planting density management enhances lodging resistance and yield through improved canopy light distribution.

Findings

N150-treated plants showed stronger basal stem nodes and better root architecture than N200-treated plants.

N150 increased lower canopy light interception, reducing root lodging by 80.82% and boosting yield by 3.16%.

The highest yield (~29 t/ha) was achieved under N150D20, showing planting density is a key driver of ear yield improvement.

Abstract

Context: Optimizing nitrogen application and planting density is critical for achieving high yields and increasing lodging resistance in crops. However, the agronomic mechanisms underlying these benefits remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the relationships among light distribution within the canopy, photosynthetic capacity, root architecture, yield, and lodging resistance in sweet corn. Methods: A two-year field experiment (2024–2025) was conducted using a split-plot design with two factors: nitrogen application levels as main plots (namely, N150 and N200; 150 kg/ha and 200 kg/ha, respectively) and three planting densities as sub-plots (D20, D25, and D30, representing plant spacing of 20 cm, 25 cm, and 30 cm, respectively, with a fixed row spacing of 80 cm). Results: At a given planting density, N150-treated plants exhibited significantly enhanced basal stem node strength and root architecture compared to those treated with N200. These improvements were closely associated with the increase in light interception rate (IR) into the lower canopy under N150. Consequently, root-lodging resistance increased, reducing the root lodging rate by 80.82% (7.32% vs. 13.21% under N200). Due to these advantages, the average yield of N150-treated plants was higher than that of N200-treated plants (+3.16%). Notably, increasing planting density emerged as the primary factor driving ear yield improvement, with the highest yield observed under the N150D20 group plants, which can reach ~29 t/ha. Conclusion: Coordinating nitrogen input with appropriate planting density improves vertical light distribution, particularly in the middle and lower canopy, thereby strengthening the basal stem and root systems and enhancing root lodging resistance and yield. Implication: These findings offer practical guidance for achieving high sweet corn yields by integrating canopy light management with optimized nitrogen application and planting density, and provide scientific guidance on “smart canopy” selection for sweet corn breeding.

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