Lysimeter data Rostock: characteristics of maize plants grown with and without underfoot fertilization in 2021

The dataset contains fresh and dry plant mass, BBCH development stages as well as plant height and element concentrations (total C, N, S, Al, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, P, and Zn) of maize grown in lysimeter areas which were either fertilized or unfertilized with P- und S-containing fertilizer pellets. The plants were grown under varying redox conditions on three soil profiles from along a hill slope in Northern Germany in 2021.
Research question: Controlled drainage may affect element mobilization in soil, in particular phosphorus. Three soil profiles with redoximorphic features were selected from along a slight hill slope to establish three lysimeter monoliths. Water levels of the monoliths were adjusted to high and low water table to mimic closed and open drainage, respectively. Maize plants were sown with either underfoot fertilization or no addition of P- & S-fertilizer. Plants were harvested after 4, 6, 8, 12 and 20 weeks, respectively. Plant developmental stage, plant height, dry mass as well as element concentrations (total C, N, S, Al, Fe, Ca, K, Mg, P, and Zn) were determined to assess the effect of the fertilizer.