Abstract
This research was conducted in Bursa, Marmara region, Turkey, in order to determine grain yield and some morphological traits which affect the silage maize response to different irrigation water amounts. The grains’ percentage of crude oil and of crude protein were determined. Field experiments were planned following randomized complete block design with three replications and included six irrigation treatments. Irrigation treatments were created as water levels of pan evaporation (Epan) applied via drip irrigation [1.25 × Epan (I125), 1.00 × Epan (I100), 0.75 × Epan (I75), 0.50 × Epan (I50), 0.25 × Epan (I25) and 0 × Epan (I0)]. The highest value of grain yield was found to be 18,268 kg ha-1 in the I125 treatment, which represents excessive water. A quadratic relationship between grain yield and irrigation water applied was obtained. Deficit irrigation decreased grain yield and yield components except the percentage of crude oil and crude protein of grain, but improved the efficient use of irrigation water. Relationships between the grain yield and each yield component were positively significant. The highest correlation coefficient in the research gave the relationship between grain yield and plant height (r=0.957**). The results revealed that 1.25 × Epan and 1.00 × Epantreatments are preferable for higher yield. The results of this study also suggest that if water is limited, the application of 0.75 × Epan can be recommended as optimal treatment, because the best compromise among yield, yield components, quality and irrigation water use efficiency for maize was achieved with this application.
Highlights
Maize is one of the most important plants worldwide, because of its high grain and forage yield
The main aim of this study was 1) to determine the effect of different irrigation water amounts applied via drip irrigation on grain yield, some yield components and the content of crude protein and crude oil of silage maize grown in a sub-humid climate of Turkey, 2) to define correlation coefficients among yield and yield-related components in maize, 3) to conclude which irrigation appropriate for silage maize where growing sub-humid region of Turkey
Results indicated that the effect of irrigation water amount was significant at 99% probability level for plant height, ear length, the number of grain per row, the number of grain in the ear, 1,000 grain weight, hectoliter weight, grain yield, and that was significant at 95% probability level for the number of row per ear and the number of ear per plant in average data of two years
Summary
Maize is one of the most important plants worldwide, because of its high grain and forage yield. It has extensive adaptation characters and is intensely cultivated in Turkey. The total production of maize is not sufficient to meet the continuous increase of consumption. The surfaces cultivated with maize are increasing, the total production of the maize is not sufficient in Turkey. The attempts to increase maize production are of great importance. To increase the maize production, there are needs for the adequate supply of irrigation water, N, P, K fertilizers, high yielding cultivars, agronomical practices like optimum plant density, timing of different treatments and interventions etc. To increase the maize production, there are needs for the adequate supply of irrigation water, N, P, K fertilizers, high yielding cultivars, agronomical practices like optimum plant density, timing of different treatments and interventions etc. affecting directly the growth and productivity
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