Planting Strategy Optimization Can Increase Maize Yield by Delaying Leaf Senescence and Improving Photosynthetic Capacity

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript is in general written in a clear way, easy to read but some sentences needs improvement, and with appropriate reference to data in tables and figures. The work requires corrections. The purpose of the work should be better articulated.

1. ABSTRACT

- The abstract  requires thorough editing, especially the aim of the research. The unit record should be checked and corrected accordingly

2. INTRODUCTION

Authors should specify the purpose of the work in this part.  Modern maize cultivation is primarily determined by the purpose of use, hence the variety is the primary factor influencing plant growth and development and, subsequently, yield. Its selection is nowadays the key factor in the cultivation of this species and only then the other agrotechnical factors, hence the authors should first of all pay attention to this. The research hypothesis should be formulated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

- this part needs major improvement because it is not clear.

- the description of the weather conditions should be more detailed, e.g. the course of the conditions in months, as temperature can also influence plant development.

- Soil description should be according to WRB.

Experimental design should be should be expanded to include details of fertilization, weed control, irrigation used.

RESUTS and DISCUSSION

All my suggestions are included in the text.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Question 1: The abstract  requires thorough editing, especially the aim of the research. The unit record should be checked and corrected accordingly.

Reply 1: The abstract part has been re-edited, the unit has also carried out corresponding checks and corrections, and the revised article has been marked red. We are very sorry for our careless mistake. Thank you for your reminding.

Question 2: Authors should specify the purpose of the work in this part.  Modern maize cultivation is primarily determined by the purpose of use, hence the variety is the primary factor influencing plant growth and development and, subsequently, yield. Its selection is nowadays the key factor in the cultivation of this species and only then the other agrotechnical factors, hence the authors should first of all pay attention to this. The research hypothesis should be formulated.

Reply 2: We think this is a good suggestion, we have been concerned that variety selection is a key factor in corn cultivation, the selection of this agricultural technology experiment in order to highlight the innovation and development significance and research hypothesis are also detailed, in the revised introduction section of the article has been marked in red.

Question 3: MATERIAL AND METHODS: - this part needs major improvement because it is not clear.

Reply 3: The experimental design of the paper was designed strictly in accordance with the standard scientific method. We added the sampling method and measurement steps of the sample in detail in the paper,See 2.4.2 Physiological indexes in the text.

Question 4: MATERIAL AND METHODS: - the description of the weather conditions should be more detailed, e.g. the course of the conditions in months, as temperature can also influence plant development.

Reply 4: The experimental annual mean temperature climate of the region has been added to the article, in Fig.1.

Question 5: MATERIAL AND METHODS: - Soil descripti.- Soil description should be according to WRB.

Reply 5: The soil of the test site was a Eutric Luvisols with yellow clay texture.Yellow clay plays an important role in agriculture. First of all, it can improve the texture of the soil and enhance the water retention and fertilizer retention ability of the soil. Yellow clay particles have polar adsorption groups on their surface, which can absorb and retain water and nutrients in the soil. Secondly, yellow clay can regulate the soil pH, making it more suitable for the growth of different plants. Finally, yellow clay can also decompose organic matter through fermentation, provide a lot of nutrients for plant absorption, and promote the growth and development of plants.

Question 6: MATERIAL AND METHODS: Experimental design should be should be expanded to include details of fertilization, weed control, irrigation used.

Reply 6: The Experimental design of the paper was designed strictly in accordance with standard scientific methods, and the methods of fertilization, weeding and irrigation were supplemented in detail. 2.3 Experimental design was marked in red in the paper.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

The paper explores the effects of planting density and row spacing in maize plants. The experiment was well-planned and carried out in 2023–2024, and the results were interesting. However, there are a few suggestions: 

 

1. The writing style in the introduction could be improved by using transition words. Additionally, some references or arguments could be moved to the discussion section.
2. The rationale behind the authors’ choice of planting density and row spacing for the experiment is not well explained.
3. For the statistical analysis, is it a one-way ANOVA or a two-way ANOVA?

The figure and table captions could provide more details about the statistical analysis. For instance, they should clarify that different letters indicate significant differences at *p* ≤ 0.05, etc.

• In Table 1, check the 2023-D1 standard error of yield. It seems too high compared to the other data.
• In Figure 2, add Duncan’s test, t-test, or other statistical comparisons—letters indicating differences between maize stages.
• In Figure 3, is each figure labeled as “D”? Should it be D1, D2, D3, etc.?
• In Figure 7, does the caption refer to the growing period?

Could precipitation influence the results? The discussion could include an explanation of whether the differences observed over the two years were affected by rainfall and other environmental factors rather than just plant density. 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The writing style in the introduction could be improved by using transition words.

Overall, the English could be improved by double-checking spelling and meaning

 

Author Response

Question 1: The writing style in the introduction could be improved by using transition words. Additionally, some references or arguments could be moved to the discussion section.

Reply 1: We agree with the reviewer's suggestions and incorporate these suggested changes into the manuscript.

Question 2: The rationale behind the authors’ choice of planting density and row spacing for the experiment is not well explained.

Reply 2: Study planting density and row spacing configuration test reasons:

1. Light competition: too dense planting will lead to light occlusion between plants, affecting photosynthesis; Too little will waste light energy and land resources, and reasonable spacing can improve field ventilation conditions, avoid light occlusion, and enhance photosynthesis.
2. Nutrient and water utilization: Excessive density will intensify the competition of roots for soil nutrients and water, which may lead to yield reduction or diseases and pests; Reasonable spacing can promote root development and balanced allocation of resources.
3. Disease and pest control: Suitable row spacing can be ventilated, transparent, reduce humidity, reduce the breeding of diseases, and facilitate field management such as mechanical spraying.
4. Mechanized adaptation: Modern agriculture relies on mechanical sowing and harvesting, and the row spacing design needs to match the width of agricultural machinery operation to improve production efficiency.
5. Variety characteristics matching: Different crop varieties (such as density-tolerant corn, light-loving soybean) have different space requirements, and the experiment can be targeted to optimize the configuration and play the variety potential.

In summary, by optimizing crop planting density and row spacing configuration, efficient utilization of light, water, fertilizer, gas and other resources can be achieved, thereby increasing yield, improving quality and reducing production costs, and providing data support for the formulation of scientific planting plans.

Question 3: For the statistical analysis, is it a one-way ANOVA or a two-way ANOVA?

Reply 3: Since this experiment is an analysis experiment with two factors, I have elaborated the background and quotations in a lot of language and used a lot of long sentences to explain the reason, so as to tell everyone and you why I want to do this experiment, so as to gain recognition.

Question 4: The figure and table captions could provide more details about the statistical analysis. For instance, they should clarify that different letters indicate significant differences at *p* ≤ 0.05, etc.

Reply 4: We have made detailed comments at the bottom of the graph and table to explain what each mark and letter represents.

Question 5: In Table 1, check the 2023-D1 standard error of yield. It seems too high compared to the other data.

Reply 5: We are sorry for our carelessness. We have corrected and marked in red in the article. Thank you for your correction.

Question 6: In Figure 2, add Duncan’s test, t-test, or other statistical comparisons—letters indicating differences between maize stages.

Reply 6: We have already used the ANOVA statistical method, the comparison of abc is not significant, focusing on the best trend of each treatment, so it is not expressed in letters.

Question 7: In Figure 3, is each figure labeled as “D”? Should it be D1, D2, D3, etc.?

Reply 7:Thank you for reminding us. We are very sorry for our carelessness. We have corrected and marked in red in the article.

Question 8: In Figure 7, does the caption refer to the growing period?

Reply 8: Figure 7 is about Correlation analysis between physiological activity and yield during the Filling stage。

Question 9: Could precipitation influence the results? The discussion could include an explanation of whether the differences observed over the two years were affected by rainfall and other environmental factors rather than just plant density. 

Reply 9: Through the analysis of two years' test data, precipitation will affect the research results. It has been explained in 3.1 result analysis that the output and precipitation are consistent, and the effective precipitation in 2023 is higher than that in 2024, and the output in 2023 is also higher than that in 2024.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I consider that the study about maize planting densisty and row spacing is well written. The topic is interesting and actual. Parameters for the experiment are well choosen with good statistical analysis. Writing style is formed however, in some parts of the text is  strange. However I support publishing this study. 

Your paper represent a well written study. I hope you will continue with scientific work. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments on my manuscript. I truly appreciate your positive feedback regarding the quality of the work, as well as your support for my continued engagement in scientific research. Such recognition from experts like you is a great motivation for me to pursue further contributions to this field.

I will certainly incorporate all the constructive suggestions from you and other reviewers to improve the paper. Please let me know if there are any additional points that need clarification or refinement.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors made the appropriate corrections and added them to the text. The description of Figure 1 and Figure 6 require correction.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

no style comments

Author Response

Question 1: The authors made the appropriate corrections and added them to the text. The description of Figure 1 and Figure 6 require correction.

Reply 1: The contents of Figures 1 and 6 have been modified, and the revised article has been marked red. We are very sorry for our careless mistake. Thank you for your reminding.