Maize and Wheat Response to Drought Stress under Varied Sulphur Fertilisation

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the influence of long-lasting moderate (45% field water capacity—FWC) and severe (30% FWC) water stress and application of sulphur (elemental sulphur or sulphate) on the growth, yield and mineral composition of wheat and maize. Concentrations of macro- and micronutrients were determined in the aboveground parts of the plants. Drought stress caused a marked decrease in the growth parameters of both plants. Under both optimal water conditions (60% FWC) and moderate water stress (45% FWC), grain yields of wheat grown without sulphur application were not significantly different. Applying elemental sulphur caused an increase in grain yield under moderate stress, whereas sulphate was more effective in wheat grown under adequate water supply. Severe water stress significantly lowered wheat yield, regardless of sulphur fertilisation. Increasing water stress resulted in a greater reduction in maize growth, with an average 50% decrease in dry mass under severe water stress. Both crops maintained relatively high levels of macro- (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S) and microelements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) and did not suffer noticeably from deficiencies in such. Sulphur application did not modify these relationships. In conclusion, sulphur fertilisation may be recommended in wheat cultivation when plants are exposed to moderate water stress.

Minimizing the Adverse Impact of Drought on Corn by Applying Foliar Potassium Humate Combined with Chitosan

“…Physiologically, this leads to a decline in soil moisture around the roots leading to a decrease in the absorption rate of water and nutrients from the soil sector, which is opposite for N, K, and Zn. These findings are in line with the results observed by Fahad et al (2017), as they reported that drought has declined the uptake of P, leading to a reduction in the relative moisture content of the leaves (Ali and Abdelaal 2020); at par with the increase of the uptake of (N, K, and Zn) (Kulczycki et al 2022).…”

“…While in terms of morphology, exposure of corn plants to drought contributed to inhibiting plant growth and other vegetative and yield traits. I hypothesized that due to the decrease in levels of leaf extension, cell division, photosynthetic capacity, and enlargement rates, these results are shown by (de Araujo et al (2018), Mi et al (2018), and Kulczycki et al (2022). Furthermore, Kulczycki et al (2022) added, "although corn as another C 4 plant is highly efficient in water use, it remains sensitive to water availability.…”

Interaction Effects of Sowing Date, Irrigation Levels, Chitosan, and Potassium Silicate On Yield and Water Use Efficiency for Maize Grown Under Arid Climate

“…Moreover, planting maize seeds in the fall works in decreasing the growing period which reaches to 100-110 days approximately, conversely planting maize seeds in the spring the growing season reaches 135-140 days. These reasons are accompanied by the self-ability of maize to cope with short periods of water stress resulting in maintaining the yield profitability at acceptable values in the fall, these findings are in harmony with the study of (Kulczycki et al 2022).…”

Nutrient uptake status and peanuts yield as a consequence of the cobalt and chelated zinc applications under different irrigation schemes

“…4 a). Furthermore, under this circumstance once Cb becomes beside or in the roots, it works on raising the roots susceptibility to water availability and Cb concentrations 42 . In addition, the reduction of soil moisture decreases the microorganism activity, leading to a decrease in (N, P, Fe, Mn and Cu) and an increase in soil pH.…”