Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Physiological efficiency of nitrification inhibitors and endophytic nitrogen fixers in maize crops

Volodymyr Pavlenko, Semen Tanchyk
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Abstract

Under the conditions of global climate change, the stability of the nitrogen status in maize is a critical factor for ensuring high productivity, especially during late-season thermal stress. The objective of the study was to substantiate the physiological impact of nitrapyrin and Methylobacterium symbioticum on the activity of the maize photosynthetic apparatus under various hydrothermal scenarios. The research was conducted in 2023-2025 on Typical Chernozems and Grey Forest soils in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The research subjects included hybrids P8723, P9127, and P9074. The relative chlorophyll content was measured using the Yara N-Tester device. Statistical processing was performed using the LSD test. It was established that the integration of N-Lock™ Max and Blue N™ ensured a pronounced “stay-green” effect, providing 5-12% higher chlorophyll index than the control during the grain-filling phase. It was found that under the extreme drought conditions of 2024 (HTC 0.56), endophytic nitrogen fixation effectively compensated for the soil nitrogen deficit, increasing the Yara N-Tester index by 18.7-26.2 units. The study proved that applying these treatments on a moderate N90 background allows for achieving physiological indicators equivalent to the full N120 background without stabilisers. A direct correlation between late-stage chlorophyll content and final grain yield was mathematically confirmed. Significant yield increases were observed in the synergistic variants, which outperformed individual applications by maintaining metabolic activity during peak thermal stress. The results demonstrated that the synergy between chemical stabilisation and biological nitrogen fixation ensured stable nitrogen homeostasis in maize under thermal stress, enabling the optimisation of nitrogen fertiliser rates by 25%. This integrated approach serves as a viable strategy for enhancing crop resilience and nutrient use efficiency in climate-smart agriculture

Keywords

Zea mays L., nitrapyrin, Methylobacterium symbioticum, stay-green effect, Yara N-Tester, nitrogen homeostasis

Suggested citation
Pavlenko, V., & Tanchyk, S. (2026). Physiological efficiency of nitrification inhibitors and endophytic nitrogen fixers in maize crops. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(3),45-57. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/3.2026.45
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