LIGHT INTERCEPTION, RADIATION USE EFFICIENCY AND BIOMASS ACCUMULATION RESPONSE OF MAIZE TO INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT UNDER DROUGHT STRESS CONDITIONS

Authors : Muhammad Saqib RANDHAWA, Muhammad MAQSOOD, Muhammad Asif SHEHZAD, Muhammad Umer CHATTHA, Muhammad Bilal CHATTHA, Fahim NAWAZ, Sanaullah YASIN, Tasawer ABBAS, Muhammad Mohsin NAWAZ, Rana Dildar KHAN, Usman ZULFIQAR

Pages : 134-142

Doi:10.17557/tjfc.312370

View : 50 | Download : 18

Publication Date : 2017-05-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In order to alleviate the drought adversities on maize insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Zea mays L.);biomass accumulation and radiation use efficiency insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RUE);, a field study was conducted under drought stress levels of D1 = well-watered, D2 = drought stress at blister stage, D3 = drought stress at blister and dough stages; and integrated nutrition levels, N0 = control, N1 = NPK, 125-60-62 kg ha-1, N2 = NPK, 125-60-62 kg ha-1 + FYM at 10 t ha-1, N3 = NPK, 125-60-62 kg ha-1 + FYM at 15 t ha-1, N4 = NPK, 250-120-125 kg ha-1, N5 = NPK, 250-120-125 kg ha-1 + FYM at 10 t ha-1, N6 = NPK, 250-120-125 kg ha-1 + FYM at 15 t ha-1. Drought stress caused a significant decline in growth traits, interception of photosynthetically active radiation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PAR);, RUE and finally biomass production. The highest leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, interception of PAR and dry matter accumulation was recorded in plants applied with NPK insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(250-120-125 kg ha-1); in combination with FYM insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(15 t ha-1);, whereas only NPK application did not significantly improve light interception and dry biomass production. Fraction of intercepted insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Fi); radiation was significantly improved by integrated nutrient management under well-watered as well as drought stress conditions. A substantial decrease in total dry matter and grain yield basis RUE was recorded from higher to lower plant nutrition rates, as the highest value of RUE was found with treated plants of 250-120-125 kg NPK ha-1 + FYM at 15 t ha-1. Thus, our study demonstrates that supplemental NPK with FYM is an effective strategy to boost the drought tolerance through improved RUE and biomass accumulation in maize.
Keywords : Drought, radiation use efficiency, intercepted PAR, dry matter, NPK

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