Changes in Yield and its Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Foliar Application of Zinc Nutrient and Mycorrhiza under Water Stress Condition

摘要

A field experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of mycorrhiza and foliar application of Zn chelate on yield and yield components of maize (zea mays L.) SC600 cultivar under water stress condition in the faculty of agronomy and plant breeding, Islamic Azad University, Boroujerd Branch, Iran during the growing seasons 2013-2014. The experiment was laid out in a split-factorial design based on randomized block design with three replications. Treatments were different irrigation periods (7, 14 and 21 days) in main plots and Zn chelate and mycorrhiza (strain of Glomus intraradices) in two levels of use and non use of them as factorial in sub plots. Results showed that, the effect of water stress mycorrhiza and Zn chelate on all traits were significant. The interaction effect of water stress mycorrhiza and Zn chelate on all traits excluding number of grain per cob and biomass were significant. Also interaction effect of water stress ad mycorrhiza on number of grain per cob and 100 grain weight were significant only. However the interaction effect of water stress*Zn chelate and mycorrhiza*Zn chelate were significant on 100 grain weight and biomass yield respectively. The comparison of the mean values showed that 7 day irrigation period treatment with use of mycorrhiza and Zn chelate had the highest chlorophyll SPAD, number of row per cob, 100 grain weight, grain yield and harvest index but 21 day irrigation period without application of Zn chelate and mycorrhiza had the lowest of them. The maximum production of maize was recorded for normal irrigation as 7 day irrigation period and application of mycorrhiza and Zn chelate. It can be stated that with respect to the alleviating effects of mycorrhiza fungi under moderate drought stress on corn grain yield, these fungi can enhance corn water efficiency under drought conditions and hence increase corn yield. The combined effects of mycorrhiza fungi and Zn chelate can intensify the alleviating effects of mycorrhiza fungi on corn growth and production under water stress. Therefore, we can increase yield and yield components of maize by decrease of irrigation period and application Zn chelate as nutrient and colonization of corn roots by mycorrhiza fungi.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v9i5.12702