Abstract
A study was conducted in Sudan (Africa) during the summer and winter seasons (2013 – 2014) at two locations: Shambat (normal soils) and Soba (salt affected soils). Nine maize (ZeamaysL.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) cultivars were studied under two watering regimes arranged in split plot experiment in randomized complete block design. The eight test-environments created by the combination of locations, seasons and watering regimes were used to investigate the effect of salt, water and heat stresses on forage yield and some related traits. The results showed that separate and combined stress factors significantly reduced forage yield. The greatest reduction in dry matter yield caused by one factor was shown by salt stress (29.6%) and the least reduction was caused by heat stress (3.9%). Water stress coupled with either heat or salt stress caused the greater reduction in yield (37.0%-43.3%) than the combination of the other factors. Full stress caused 53.8% yield reduction. Days to tasseling was significantly reduced by heat stress whereas water and salt stress showed no significant effect on tasseling duration. Full stress caused the greatest effect on days to tasseling. Plant height and stem diameter were significantly reduced by salt and water stress. Two hybrids kept top rank in yield through most abiotic stress levels showing resilience to unfavorable environments. All maize genotypes significantly outyielded the sorghum check under no heat stress (winter sowing) regardless the effect of salt and water stresses while the opposite is true under the heat stress (summer sowing). It was concluded that salt and water stress are the major abiotic stresses limiting forage maize production. Maize tolerate better reduction in temperature than dose sorghum while the latter tolerate better salt and water stresses than dose maize. Forage maize could be competitively grown during summer if water and salt stresses are avoided
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) forage has become a major constituent of ruminant rations in recent years
The compound effect of water stress with either salt or heat stress caused a greater reduction in forage yield than that caused by heat with salinity stress. This agrees with the findings reported by Heiniger [31] for the interaction of water stress with each of salt and heat stresses
Heat stresses have the least effect on the yield of forage maize
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) forage has become a major constituent of ruminant rations in recent years It is the only crop amongst non-leguminous fodders that combines better nutritional quality along with a high quantity of biomass [1, 2]. The increasing frequency of dry spells in many regions of the world and the problems associated with salinity in irrigated areas frequently result in the wide occurrence of drought and salinity on cultivated land [9]. Such abiotic stresses are prevailing in Sudan and should be seriously considered when introducing or developing new maize cultivars.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
