Effect of fertilizer management and the application of zeolite on agronomic traits and grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under deficit irrigation conditions

Drought stress is considered as the most important limiting factor for growing of crops such as maize. Under low irrigation conditions, proper nutrition of plants can improve the effects of drought stress. This experiment was carried out in order to investigate the effect of nutrition management along with application of zeolite on agronomic traits of two hybrids of maize under deficit irrigation conditions in a field research in Soil and Water Research Institute in Karaj, Iran in ۲۰۱۵ and ۲۰۱۶ via a factorial split-plot plan based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included two levels of irrigation; full irrigation (I۱) and deficit irrigation (۷۰% of full irrigation) (I۲) as the main factor and  factorial combination of fertilizer application at five levels; application of fertilizer in the conventional method (F۱), fertilization application in conventional method + ۱۰ tons of zeolite.ha-۱ (F۲), fertilizer application based on local recommendation (F۳), fertilizer application based on local recommendation + ۱۰ tons of zeolite.ha-۱ (F۴) and control (without fertilizer) (F۵). Besides, maize hybrids including a late hybrid (SC۷۰۴) (H۱) and an early maturity hybrid (۲۶۰ = Fajr) (H۲) were considered as sub-factors. The results of analysis of variance showed that deficit irrigation had a significant effect on grain yield, number of grain.ear-۱, ear weight, number of ear.m-۲, and fertility of florets, while under deficit irrigation condition the values of these traits decreased. Under deficit irrigation treatment, the highest grain yield of maize hybrids (۷۹۳۴.۳ and ۷۷۹۳.۸ kg.ha-۱ for ۷۰۴ and ۲۶۰ hybrids, respectively) was obtained from recommended fertilizer application + zeolite, which were ۷% and ۱۵% less than grain yield of corresponding maize hybrids (۸۱۸۰ and ۹۱۷۰.۲۹ kg.ha-۱ for ۷۰۴ and ۲۶۰ hybrids, respectively) where recommended application of fertilizer + zeolite were used under full irrigation condition. In general, the appropriate fertilizer management with the application of ۱۰ tons of zeolite.ha-۱ led to a higher grain yield of both late and early hybrids of maize and saving ۳۰% water consumption (up to ۲۱۰۰ m۳.ha-۱). 

Keywords:

clinoptilolite , Grain yield , limited irrigation , Maize , Nitrogen fertilizer