Formation of maize leaf area depending on the fertiliser system

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Topicality. Achieving the maximum level of maize productivity requires optimising the rate of assimilation apparatus formation and promoting the maximum duration of leaf area activity. Adjusting the leaf area of maize crops by optimising plant nutrition ensures improved accumulation of organic matter through photosynthetic activity of plants. Purpose. Research was aimed at determining the effect of maize plants supply with macro- and microelements on the formation of leaf area of the mid-late maize hybrid SI Zefir (FAO 430) under different developmental stages in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Field, laboratory and laboratory-field methods were used in the research. The research was conducted in the fields of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University during 2021–2022. Results. It was found that the leaf area of maize varies depending on the stages of growth and development, due to the growth and death of the number of leaves in the process of ontogeny. The dynamics of leaf area decrease from the milk ripeness stage to the full grain ripeness stage was established, which is more related to the death of some leaves. The formation of the total leaf area of the SI Zefir hybrid significantly depended on the climatic conditions of the year and the supply of plants with micro- and macroelements. Conclusions. The best indicators of leaf area in the stages of milk ripeness (41.24 thousand m2/ha) and full grain ripeness (38.38 thousand m2/ha) were observed in 2021, which was more favourable in terms of temperature and moisture supply compared to 2022. The introduction of nitrogen fertiliser N40 in combination with microfertiliser Wuxal P Max before sowing provided the largest leaf area of the maize hybrid SI Zefir in the stages of milk ripeness – 41.35 thousand m2/ha and full grain ripeness – 37.60 thousand m2/ha. The application of nitrogen fertilisers in combination with the microfertiliser Wuxal P Max helps to optimise the nutrient supply of plants, which stimulates the formation of leaf area, which increases in the stages of milk and full grain ripeness by 3.70 thousand m2/ha and 2.85 thousand m2/ha, respectively, compared to the control variant (without fertilisation) Key words: maize, leaf area, photosynthetic surface area, fertilisation