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Phenology, Leaf Water Content and Moisture Retention Capacity of Maize Under Water Limited Condition

S. Sikder
Department of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200

M. S. Hossain
Department of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200

M. R. Islam
Department of Crop Physiology and Ecology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur-5200

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

In a field experiment, four maize varieties viz., BARI hybrid maize-2, BARI hybrid maize-5, BARI maize-5, and BARl maize-7 were tested under well watered (irrigated) and water limited (non-irrigated) conditions to evaluate their phenological development, relative leaf water content (RWC) and moisture retention capacity (MRC). In non-irrigated (water limited) condition, all the varieties required higher number of days for attaining their seedling emergence, four- leaf, eight-leaf, twelve-leaf, tassel emergence, silking and maturity stages than the well watered condition. However, all the varieties showed higher values of RWC and MRC under well watered condition compared to water Iimited condition. The hybrid varieties required higher number of days for attaining different phenological stages and have higher RWC and MRC compared to other varieties in both the growing conditions.

Keywords: Maize, phenology, Leaf water, Moisture retention capacity

Location: Crop Physiology and Ecology Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur

Start Date: 00-11-2007

End Date: 00-04-2008

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Maize

Objectives:

To study the phenology, leaf water content and moisture retention capacity of maize under water limited condition.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the research field of Crop Physiology and Ecology Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during the period of November 2007 to April 2008. It was conducted in a split plot design with three replications. The unit plot size was 3m x 2m having a plot to plot and block to block distance of 0.75m and lm respectively. The two growing conditions: well watered (three irrigation levels) and water limited conditions (no irrigation) were placed in the main plots as main plot treatments, whereas four varieties of maize (such as BARl -, maize-5, BARI maize-7, BARI Hybrid maize-2 and BARl Hybrid maize-S) were placed randomly in the sub-plots. The experimental plots were fertilized with N - P₂0₅ - K₂O - S @ 138 kg, 96 kg, 90 kg and 27 kg per hectare in the form of urea, TSP, MP and gypsum respectively. At the time of final land preparation, cow dung was applied at the rate of 5 t/ha. The whole quantity of TSP, MP, gypsum and 1/3 of urea were applied at the time of final land preparation. The remaining urea was top dressed in two equal splits: 1^st at 40 days after sowing and 2^nd at 70 days after sowing. Seeds of maize varieties were sown on 20 November, 2007 in each growing conditions (well irrigated and water limited) in 24 plots. The hole was opened by bamboo stick at a desired distance and one seed was placed in each hole. The seeds were sown in lines at 70 cm x 20 cm spacing. The seeds were placed at depth of approximately 1 inch from the soil surface and the crop management was done properly. Data were collected on soil moisture, time required for attaining some phonological stages, relative leaf water content (RWC) and moisture retention capacity (MRC). The soil samples were collected by an auger from each plot at the depth of IS em of soil for three times. The first sample was collected at initial stage (at seedling emergence), second one was collected at the middle stage of crop growth (tasseling) and the third one was collected at harvesting stage. The sample was oven dried at 70°C for 12 hours. Following phenological stages were observed and recorded. i. Seedling-emergence: Days when 50% seeds were completely emerged. ii. Four-leaf stage: Days when 50% plants were completely four- leaved. iii. Eight-leaf stage: Days when 50% plants were completely eight- leaved. iv. Twelve-leaf stage: Days when 50% plants were completely twelve -leaved. v. Tassel emergence stage: Days when tassels came out at 50% plants. vi. Silking stage: Days when cobs initiated at 50% plants. vii. Maturity stage: The number of days from sowing to maturity was determined when cob-sheath turned brownish, grains became hard and silks get dried completely. Three matured flag leaves were collected from each replication of each variety. Their fresh weights were taken separately. Then they were weighed at 30 minutes interval for 8 times. After that the time interval was 90 minutes. The leaves were dried in an oven at 85°C for 24 hours before weighing. During the experiment the average relative humidity was 65% and the minimum and the maximum temperatures were 21°C and 24°C, respectively. The MRC was calculated by following formula, MRC = FW - DW x 100 FW Where, FW = Fresh weight DW = Dry weight. Relative leaf water content (RWC) was determined from the flag leaves. The leaves were collected at 8 am, 12 noon and 4 pm. Three leaves were taken from each replication of each variety of each treatment. Their fresh weights were taken immediately and were sinked into water and kept in test tube for four hours. After 4 hours when the cells of the leaves became fully turgid, they were taken out from water and after drying with blotting paper their turgid weights were determined. Then the leaves were dried in an oven and weighed. The data were analyzed by partitioning the total variance with the help of computer using MSTAT program. The treatment means were compared using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT).

Source of Information: Journal of Science and Technology 9 & 10 (2011-12): 163-168

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In the present study the highest relative leaf water content was observed at 8 am Similar result was observed in wheat. They further reported that relative leaf water content was higher in the irrigated condition than the rainfed condition. These results are in close agreement with the present study. From the overall results it might be concluded that all the varieties showed better performance in well-watered condition compared to water limited condition and the two hybrid varieties showed their supremacy over the other varieties used as study materials in this research work.

Knowledge Management: Journal