Table 4 Mean values of above-ground dry biomass yield (Mg ha−1) and harvest index (%).

From: Optimizing plant density and balancing NPK inputs in combination with innovative fertilizer product for sustainable maize production in North China Plain

Treatment

Stalk dry matter (Mg ha−1)

Grain dry matter (Mg ha−1)

Total dry matter (Mg ha−1)

Harvest index (%)

CK

9.7 ± 0.8c

8.7 ± 0.9c

18.4 ± 0.8c

46.1 ± 2.3a

FP

11.0 ± 1.2ab

8.7 ± 0.5c

19.8 ± 0.5bc

45.0 ± 1.7a

CF

11.5 ± 1.0ab

9.5 ± 0.3b

20.9 ± 1.1ab

46.7 ± 2.4a

IF

12.5 ± 1.8a

10.3 ± 0.7a

22.8 ± 0.7a

46.4 ± 4.0a

IF + UI

11.7 ± 1.7ab

9.8 ± 0.2ab

21.5 ± 1.9ab

46.2 ± 3.4a

IF + DI

12.2 ± 2.1ab

9.8 ± 0.6ab

22.0 ± 1.6ab

45.9 ± 5.5a

IF + MI

12.4 ± 0.5a

9.7 ± 0.1ab

22.1 ± 0.6ab

44.9 ± 0.3a

IF + TE

12.0 ± 0.7ab

10.4 ± 0.1a

22.5 ± 0.6a

47.1 ± 2.2a

  1. CK unfertilized control, FP farmer practice, CF conventional fertilization, IF innovative fertilizer, IF + UI innovative fertilizer and urea inhibitors additives, IF + DI innovative fertilizer and double inhibitors additives, IF + MI innovative fertilizer and micro-organisms additives, and innovative fertilizer and micro-organisms trace elements additives (IF + TE). All values are reported as mean ± SD, n = 3. The values followed by the different letters show statistically significant differences at P < 0.05.