Effects of Zeolite on Agronomic and Biochemical Traits and Yield Components of Zea mays L. cv Simone Under Drought Stress Condition

摘要

One of the new strategies to increase the effectiveness of chemical fertilizers, prevent the waste of chemical fertilizers, and increase the yield of agricultural products, is the use of natural compound such as zeolite. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of zeolite (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha~(-1)) on agronomic and biochemical responses as well as yield components of maize (cv. Simon) under normal (90% field capacity), moderate (75% FC), and severe (60% FC) drought stress conditions during 2017-2019. The results showed that moderate and severe drought stress significantly decreased plant height (10.9% and 19.7%, respectively), plant fresh weight (15.2% and 17%, respectively), and plant dry weight (26.7% and 39%, respectively). The highest chlorophyll content reduction was observed under drought stress especially in severe stress (30.7% compared to the normal condition). Application of zeolite improved agronomic (plant height, fresh and dry weight), biochemical (carbohydrate, proline, protein, total phenol, and peroxidase enzyme activity), and yield-related traits under severe drought stress condition. Therefore, zeolite alleviated the effect of drought stress for both consecutive years. Hence, the application of 10 and 15 t ha~(-1) zeolite respectively, increased the grain yield by 20.1% and 61.9% under drought stress compared to control (no application of zeolite). In conclusion, the application of 15 t ha~(-1) zeolite is the suitable treatment to alleviate the negative effect of drought stress on maize (cv. Simon).