Ling  Jin

Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, 712100, Shaanxi, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Soil Biology, 2026, Vol. 17, No. 5   
Received: 23 Aug., 2026    Accepted: 27 Sep., 2026    Published: 12 Oct., 2026

Nitrogen management is a critical determinant of maize productivity, root system development, and fertilizer use efficiency. However, conventional nitrogen application practices often result in uneven nitrogen distribution, excessive fertilizer inputs, and substantial nitrogen losses, thereby limiting crop nitrogen uptake and reducing fertilizer use efficiency. This review systematically examines the effects of different nitrogen application methods on maize root distribution and nitrogen use efficiency, with emphasis on the interactions among nitrogen placement, soil nitrogen availability, root system architecture, and rhizosphere processes. Different application strategies, including broadcasting, banding, spot application, split application, deep placement, and precision nitrogen management, are compared in terms of their effects on vertical and horizontal root distribution, root physiological activity, nitrogen uptake, yield formation, and nitrogen use efficiency. The potential roles of soil nitrogen transformation, rhizosphere microbial communities, and root-microbe interactions in regulating nitrogen acquisition are also discussed. A case study is further presented to compare representative nitrogen application strategies and identify their effects on root development and fertilizer utilization. Finally, integrated water-fertilizer management, precision fertilization, and root-oriented nitrogen management strategies are proposed to improve nitrogen use efficiency while maintaining maize yield and reducing environmental nitrogen losses. This review provides a comprehensive framework for optimizing nitrogen application based on root system characteristics and promoting sustainable maize production.

Maize; Nitrogen application methods; Root distribution; Nitrogen use efficiency; Precision nitrogen management