Revitalized cornfield through foliar feeding

Unlock Bountiful Harvests: How Nutrients Can Rescue Your Maize from Drought!

"Discover the secrets to drought-resistant maize with foliar feeding! A guide to maximizing yield when water is scarce."


In many parts of the world, including Iran, drought is a major threat to agriculture. As water becomes scarcer, innovative strategies are needed to ensure food security. Efficient water management and the optimized application of nutrients are essential for maximizing crop production and securing returns for farmers.

One promising approach involves the foliar application of nutrients—spraying nutrients directly onto the leaves of plants. This method can be particularly effective in delivering essential elements when the soil is dry or nutrient uptake is otherwise compromised. This article delves into a fascinating study that explores how foliar applications of selenium and microelements can enhance the drought resistance and overall productivity of maize crops.

The research, conducted at the Islamic Azad University-Arak Branch in Iran, investigates the impact of these nutrient interventions on maize plants subjected to varying levels of water deficit. By understanding the results of this experiment, farmers and agricultural enthusiasts can gain valuable insights into how to mitigate the adverse effects of drought and optimize their maize yields.

How Can Nutrients Bolster Maize During Drought?

Revitalized cornfield through foliar feeding

The study employed a split-plot factorial design, testing four irrigation levels, including full irrigation (control) and water deficit at the eight-leaf stage (V8), blister stage (R2), and grain filling stage (R4). Within these irrigation treatments, selenium (with and without 20 g/ha) and microelements (with and without 2 l/ha) were applied as foliar sprays. The maize hybrid 'KSC 704' was used, and the experiment was conducted over two growing seasons (2007-2008).

The results revealed that water deficit stress significantly reduced grain yield, particularly at the blister stage (R2), where a 19.7% decrease was observed compared to the control. However, the application of selenium showed promise in mitigating these losses, significantly increasing relative content water at the R2 and R4 stages. In essence, the nutrients helped the plants maintain hydration and function more effectively under stress.

  • Selenium Boosts Hydration: Selenium application significantly increased relative water content in maize leaves during critical growth stages (R2 and R4) when plants were under water stress.
  • Yield Protection: While water deficit stress reduced grain yield, strategic selenium application helped to offset some of these losses.
  • Nutrient Synergy: The study found a complex interaction between selenium and microelements, indicating that their combined effect on maize requires careful consideration.
Interestingly, the highest grain yields were achieved with specific combinations: water deficit stress at the eight-leaf stage combined with either no selenium or selenium application but without microelements. These findings suggest a nuanced relationship, where the timing and combination of nutrient applications are crucial for maximizing benefits. It also highlights the importance of tailoring nutrient strategies to specific stress conditions.

Turning Research into Real-World Solutions

This research underscores the potential of foliar nutrient applications, particularly selenium and microelements, in enhancing the resilience of maize crops to drought stress. By carefully considering the timing and combinations of these nutrients, farmers can optimize their yields even when water is scarce. These findings are especially relevant in regions facing increasing water scarcity due to climate change. Further research is needed to fine-tune these strategies and explore their applicability across diverse maize varieties and environmental conditions. Ultimately, the goal is to equip farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to ensure food security in a challenging world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.15835/nsb234734, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of Nutrients Foliar Application On Agrophysiological Characteristics Of Maize Under Water Deficit Stress

Subject: Horticulture

Journal: Notulae Scientia Biologicae

Publisher: University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca

Authors: Nour Ali Sajedi

Published: 2010-09-27

Everything You Need To Know

1

How can applying nutrients help maize crops withstand drought conditions?

Foliar application of nutrients, specifically selenium and microelements, can help maize plants maintain hydration and function more effectively when water is limited. Selenium, in particular, has been shown to increase relative water content in maize leaves during critical growth stages such as R2 and R4, while strategic applications of selenium and microelements can offset losses in grain yield caused by water deficit. The interaction between selenium and microelements is complex, so careful consideration of timing and combination is important.

2

What were the specific experimental parameters in the study that examined drought resistance in maize?

The study used a split-plot factorial design, testing four irrigation levels: full irrigation (control) and water deficit at the eight-leaf stage (V8), blister stage (R2), and grain filling stage (R4). Within these irrigation treatments, selenium (with and without 20 g/ha) and microelements (with and without 2 l/ha) were applied as foliar sprays to the maize hybrid 'KSC 704' over two growing seasons (2007-2008). These parameters provided data about how maize crops respond to drought when foliar feeding is utilized.

3

Under what specific drought and nutrient application conditions were the highest grain yields achieved in the maize study?

The highest grain yields were observed when water deficit stress occurred at the eight-leaf stage (V8), combined with either no selenium or selenium application but without microelements. This suggests the impact of nutrient applications on maize is highly dependent on the timing and severity of drought stress, and that the combination of selenium and microelements needs careful consideration to maximize its benefits. Further research would be needed to determine if the results are applicable across diverse maize varieties and environmental conditions.

4

What specific benefits did selenium provide to maize plants experiencing drought stress?

Selenium application significantly increased relative water content in maize leaves during the blister (R2) and grain filling (R4) stages when plants were under water stress. While water deficit stress reduced grain yield, strategic selenium application helped to offset some of these losses. This boost in hydration and protection may contribute to more stable yields when drought conditions threaten maize crops. The relationship between selenium and microelements requires careful consideration.

5

What are the broader implications of research on foliar feeding of selenium and microelements for maize crops in regions facing water scarcity?

This research highlights the potential of foliar nutrient applications, especially selenium and microelements, to enhance drought resilience in maize crops. The findings suggest that by carefully timing and combining these nutrients, farmers can optimize yields even when water is limited. These strategies are particularly relevant in regions facing increased water scarcity due to climate change. The importance of this approach is to provide farmers with information to ensure food security in a challenging world.

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