Abstract: In order to figure out the utilization efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on summer maize （Zea mays L.） in the beach area of Hanjiang rive, and give scientifically recommendation of the amount used, the experiment was carried out according to part of “3414” fertilizer experiment method. The results showed that under the condition of returning wheat straw to the field of medium or lower fertility, N, P and K combined application could significantly increase maize yield, the yield of maize could be significantly increased by 27.49%, 6.29% and 3.15% by applying N, P, K fertilizers respectively. The marginal effect of crops has a certain influence on the result, and ranged from -5.37% to 5.97%. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium nutrient absorption amount for summer maize kernels of the recommended formula （OPT） was 2 471 mg/plant, nitrogen contributed the most to the increase of grain yield, and the order from big to small was nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus. As for stem and leave was 7 502 mg/plant, potassium contributed the most to increase the yield of stems and leaves, and the order from big to small was potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus. It also showed that the lower the soil fertility, the higher the soil nutrient uptake and utilization efficiency was. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium nutrient absorption amount per 100 kg grains of OPT was 8.84 kg, including 4.25 kg of N, 0.73 kg of P₂O₅,3.86 kg of K₂O. The recovery efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the current season was 65.43%, 14.49%, 27.74%, respectively. The synergistic utilization rate of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium under the OPT pattern was 63.85%, however the local conventional only was 48.66%. The result suggests that suitable amount of fertilization for maize in the beach area of Hanjiang rive was 204 kg/hm² of N, 72 kg/hm² of P₂O₅ and 72 kg/hm² of K₂O.

Key words: summer maize（Zea mays L.）, nutrient distribution, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, utilization efficiency, beach area of Hanjiang rive