Effect of Irrigation Cuttings at Different Growth Stages and Spraying with Citrullus Colocynthis Extract on the Leaf Water Balance of two Cultivars of Zea Mays L.

Abstract

A study in the real world with a Randomised Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D.) utilising a split-split diagrams layout with three separate replicates was carried out at the research facility of the college's water resources and soil sciences department at the Agriculture faculty / University of Diyala in the autumn season 2022. The experiment included three stages of cutting off irrigation: male flowering, milky stage, and three concentration levels of Citrullus Colocoynthis extract. Two cultivars of Zea mays L. were used: AGN720 and JAMESON. The concentration levels were 50 ml L-1 and 100 ml L-1, respectively, and two cultivars were used: AGN720 and JAMESON Citrullus Colocoynthis extract has an anti-transpiration effect on the water balance of leaves and water use efficacy of Zea mays L. grown under water stress conditions. The most important results are as follows: the AGN720 variety recorded the best water use efficiency, with an increase of 9.04% compared to the JAMESON variety. Spraying the extract of Citrullus Colocoynthis as anti-transpiration at a concentrate level of 100 ml L-1 increased the capability of water retention, relative water content, and water use efficiency. The irrigation cut-off treatment in the milky phase stage had the best water use efficiency, saving 2.559 kg of grain m-3 water compared to the no-cut irrigation treatment.