Investigation Effect of Different Irrigation Regime and Super Absorbent Poly-mer on Seed Yield and Morphological Traits of Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.)

Abstract

<strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Alternative furrow irrigation method is an effective procedure to reduce the amount of irrigation water in arid areas for economic production.<br /> <strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong> Assessment seed yield, its components and morphological characteristics of corn affected different level of irrigation regime and super absorbent polymer (SAP) under warm and dry climate condition.<br /> <strong>METHODS:</strong> This research was conducted according split plot experiment based on randomized complete blocks design during 2016 with three replications. The main factor included three irrigation regimes (I₁: Conventional irrigation or control, I₂: Alternate furrow irrigation from 4 leaves stage until silk emergence and after conventional, I₃: Normal irrigation until silk emergence and after alternate furrow irrigation), also three level of super absorbent polymer (S₁: non use of SAP or control, S₂: 25 kg.ha^-1, S₃: 50 kg.ha^-1) belonged to the sub factor.<br /> <strong>RESULT:</strong> The results of analysis of variance revealed the effect of different irrigation regimes on all measured traits (instead number of row per ear) was significant, also effect of different level of SAP on all measured traits (instead number of row per ear) (instead Ear diameter, stem diameter and number of row per ear) was significant, but interaction effect of treatment on all measured traits (instead number of seeds per ear and seed yield) was not significant. Evaluation mean comparison result of different irrigation regimes indicated maximum amount of plant height, ear length, ear diameter, stem diameter, number of row per ear, number of seed per row, number of seed per ear, 1000-Seed weight and seed yield was noted for I₁ and minimum of mentioned traits belonged to I₂ treatment. Also compare different level of SAP showed that the maximum and the minimum amount of measured traits belonged to S₃ and S₁ treatments.<br /> <strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Generally according result of current research I₃ treatment had lowest decrease in seed yield, its components and morphological traits so in water resource limitation I₃ treatment with use 50 kg.ha^-1 SAP it can be advice to producers.