Influence of irrigation interval, bio and mineral fertilization and their interactions on some physiological, anatomical features and productivity of maize

الملخص EN

This study was carried out in the Experimental Farm, Fac.

Agric., Zagazig Univ., Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons to find out the effect of irrigation intervals (10 and 16 days) under four bio and mineral fertilization treatments on physiological, anatomical features, growth and yield of yellow maize cultivar single cross 168.

The combined analysis detected significant decrease in maize leaf photosynthetic pigments, photochemical activity, histological features, growth and most yield attributes of maize due to prolonging the irrigation interval to 16 days except each of plant height, ear leaf area, ear length and diameter, number of rows per ear and number of grains per ear which were not significantly affected by irrigation interval.

The bio and mineral fertilization treatments caused significant effects on all previous traits.

Combined application of biofertilizers with 60 or 80% of the recommended levels of NP gave significant increments in values of leaf photosynthetic pigments, photochemical activity, histological features, growth and yield attributes of maize except both plant height and number of rows per ear which were not significantly affected by fertilization treatments.

The interactions between the studied factors had significant effects on some growth and yield attributes.

These results are quite interesting as they refers to a complementary positive role between biofertization, mineral NP fertilization and soil moisture content and hence help in minimizing the use of mineral NP fertilizers beyond to 40%.

Cerealin + Phosphorein + 60% NP under 16-days irrigation interval treatment can be suggested as a recommended treatment to obtain a promising maize grain yield, saving irrigation water and to minimize soil pollution.