Abstract
This research was carried out in 2014 at the Research Farm of the University of Tabriz, Iran. The experiment was arranged as split plot on the basis of randomized complete block with three replicates to assess the effects of four irrigation intervals (irrigations after 60, 80, 100 and 120 mm evaporation) on physiological and agronomical traits of three cultivars of maize (Zea mays L.; ‘SC704’, ‘NS640’, ‘DC303’: late, mid and early maturing, respectively). Irrigation intervals and maize cultivars were assigned to the main and sub-plots, respectively. Leaf temperature of all maize cultivars significantly increased, but chlorophyll content index, maximum efficiency of photosystem II, number of grains per plant, 1000 grain mass, plant biomass, grain yield and harvest index significantly decreased with increasing irrigation intervals. Late maturing cultivar (‘SC704’) was superior in all studied traits, followed by mid (‘NS640’) and early (‘DC303’) maturing cultivars. It was concluded that water limitation can potentially reduce performance of maize cultivars in the field, but the extent of this reduction depends on genotype and severity of stress.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.), known as corn, is an important crop worldwide, because it is the third cereal after wheat and rice, and because of its various uses and increasing demand (Huang et al, 2006)
Analysis of variance showed significant effects of irrigation and cultivar on leaf temperature, maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), grains per plant, plant biomass, grain yield and harvest index (P ≤ 0.01). The interaction of these factors were significant for grains per plant, plant biomass, grain yield and harvest index (P ≤ 0.01), but not for leaf temperature and Fv/Fm (P > 0.05)
Leaf temperature of plants significantly increased under I3 and I4 (Fig. 1A), but there was no significant
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.), known as corn, is an important crop worldwide, because it is the third cereal after wheat and rice, and because of its various uses and increasing demand (Huang et al, 2006). Maize had its origin in a semi-arid area, but it is not a reliable crop for growing under dry-land conditions, with limited or erratic rainfall (Campos et al, 2004). Monneveux et al (2006) reported that seasonal drought was the most important limiting factor for producing maize in the world. Iran is placed in arid and semi-arid region and water shortage is one of the basic problems of agriculture in that area. The crop experiences drought stress from late vegetative stages until maturity (Soltani et al, 2001). When full crop requirements are not met, water deficit
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