Yield and yield components of hybrid corn (Zea mays L.) as affected by mycorrhizal symbiosis and zinc sulfate under drought stress

Abstract

With respect to the significance of improving hybrid corn performance under stress, this experiment was conducted at the Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, Iran. A complete randomized block design with three levels of irrigations (at 100%, 75% and 50% crop water requirement), two levels of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glumus intraradisis) (including control), and three levels of zinc (Zn) sulfate (0, 25 and 45 kg ha −1 ), was performed. Results of the 2-year experiments indicated that irrigation treatment significantly affected corn yield and its components at P=1%. AM fungi and increasing Zn levels also resulted in similar effects on corn growth and production. Although AM fungi did not significantly affect corn growth at the non-stressed irrigation treatment, at moderate drought stress AM fungi significantly enhanced corn quality and yield relative to the control treatment. The combined effects of AM fungi and Zn sulfate at 45 kg haapplication significantly affected corn growth and production. In addition, the tripartite treatments significantly enhanced corn yield at P=1%. Effects of Zn and AM fungi on plant growth under drought stress is affected by the stress level.

The effects of selenium and other micronutrients on the antioxidant activities and yield of corn (Zea mays L.) under drought stress

“…Drought stress may increase the formation of free oxygen radicals, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals resulting in the degradation of membrane components, the oxidation of protein sulfhydryl (-SH) group and the loss of membrane functions (Yao et al 2009). Drought stress can adversely affect root and shoot growth resulting in the reduction of leaf surface area (Sajedi et al 2010). …”

Changes in Yield and its Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Foliar Application of Zinc Nutrient and Mycorrhiza under Water Stress Condition

“…Water is necessary for plant growth and production because of its important functioning in plant including solubilization and hence uptake of nutrients and their movement in the plant, plant transpiration, and creating the necessary pressure for the growth and development of plant cells (Sajedi et al, 2010). Drought is one of the most important stresses affecting plant growth and production (Cheong et al 2003).…”

“…Such characters improve plant performance under drought stress, which is believed to be in part related to the increased absorption of water and some nutrients such as zinc and Cu (Sajedi et al, 2010). Zn deficient in soils is one of the most common nutritional obstacles for the production of cultivated and orchard plants (Ramazanzadeh et al 2007).…”

“…This is especially important in AM symbiosis as one of the most important effects of AM on plant growth is through the enhanced uptake of nutrients such as P and Zn (Sajedi et al, 2010). Therefore this study was planned to examine effect of mycorrhiza and Zn chelate on yield and yield components of maize (zea mays L.) under water stress condition.…”

Effect of Bioinoculants on the Quality of Crops

“…Cereals inoculated with soil microorganisms (AMF, bacteria or their combination) have been tested for resistance to drought (Sajedi et al 2010), for response to various levels of P availability (Braunberger et al 1991;Al-Karaki and Clark 1999), to high temperatures, salinity, or pathogens. Results often showed better P nutrition, higher biomass and grain yield (also related to a higher number of tillers - Khan and Zaidi 2007;Midrarullah and Mirza 2014), increased concentration of Zn in grains (Sharif et al 2011;Subramanian et al 2013;Berta et al 2014;Abaid-Ullah et al 2015), and lower concentrations of some potentially phytotoxic elements, like Mn or Al (Karagiannidis and Hadjisavva-Zinoviadi 1998;Cornejo et al 2008), in comparison to uninoculated plants.…”