MODEL FOR PARTITIONING OF DRY-MATTER AND NUTRIENTS IN CORN

During the growing season plants accumulate dry matter and nutrients. Plant nutrients can accumulate in some parts of the plant and then be translocated to other parts. A probability model is presented which describes these trends. It is applied to corn (Zea mays L.) grown at Tallahassee, FL under irrigation with reclaimed municipal wastewater. Plant samples were partitioned into leaves, stalks, and ears. Dry matter and plant nutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)] were measured for each component. Results showed that corn accumulates dry matter in the order leaves, stalks, and then ears. Nutrients are accumulated in the leaves and stalks and then translocated to the ears. Model parameters were evaluated from field data.