Revolutionizing Maize Crop Productivity: The Winning Combination of Zigzag Planting and Deep Nitrogen Fertilization for Maximum Yield through Root–Shoot Ratio Management

Maize is the staple food of China, produced on 33.6% total arable land. In this context, an effective strategy to enhance maize yield essential meet demand without expanding cultivation areas. can be increased by two key measures: plant-row space optimization and nutrient management. However, in traditional practices, fertilizer utilization plants inefficient. We therefore performed a manipulative experiment over years (2018–2019), applying four treatments: (I) linear planting with nitrogen fertilization at 10 cm depth (CK), (II) 20 (LD20), (III) zigzag (ZD10), (IV) (ZD20). The aim study was examine influence deep alone combination root distribution, soil properties, canopy structures, yield. Our results showed that all improved cultivating strategies (LD20, ZD10, ZD20) length density up 10–30 layers compared CK. Similarly, photosynthesis rate leaf area duration after silking stage. orientation value middle upper canopies planting. It also dry matter accumulation medium leaves, duration, highly ZD20 followed LD20, least CK (traditional practices) both years. suggests provides higher than Additionally, significantly increases population resource optimizing root–canopy structures. Row spacing were found crop influencing growth efficiency.