Abstract: Characteristics of population sink of two plant types and its effects on yield formation were studied in treatments of different population sizes and nitrogen applications.The results showed that the number of ear rilaments in spring maize had a significant difference between varieties,which was influenced slightly by culture measures.The number of population filaments was closely related to planting density and increased with planting density in an appropriate range.Suitable application rates of nitrogen could raise fertility and fruit setting percentage and double ear rate,and contributed to better sink capacity.Total amount of kernel of population was a main yield factor that had a significant positive correlation with dry matter accumulation of population in anthesis maturity period.There was a highly positive relationship among kernel size,filling rate and dry matter and varied with plant density and nitrogen application.Photosynthetic traits of the population source in anthesis maturity period had an decisive effect on the enrichment of sink and its potentiality.Thus,it was an effective way to realize coordinated development of source and sink by taking rational culture measures according to different varieties and regions.

Key words: Spring maize, Population, Metabolic sink, Yield

CLC Number: 

• S513.01