Masoud Mohammadi; Hossin Molavi; Abdolmajid Liaghat; Masoud Parsinejad
Abstract
Salinity and water stress are the main problems of agricultural production in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of Zeolite application under salinity and ...
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Salinity and water stress are the main problems of agricultural production in many parts of the world, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of Zeolite application under salinity and water stress conditions on yield and yield components of Corn in Karaj, Iran. A factorial design with randomized complete block arrangement was used with three replications including three factors: salinity, irrigation water, and Zeolite application. Irrigation water, salinity and Zeolite application factors consisted of two levels each:W1=100% and W2=50% of crop water requirement; S1=0.7, S2=5 dS/m, and Z1=0 and Z2=10 t/ha, respectively. The soil texture was clay loam. Results showed that salinity and water stresses reduced yield and yield components, while Zeolite application increased them. Simultaneous impact of salinity, deficit irrigation, and Zeolite application had significant effect on corn yield, the 1000 kernels weight, number of grains per ear, and plant height. The maximum corn yield, 1000 seeds weight, number of grains per ear, and plant height were, respectively, 7233.3 kg/ha, 309 g, 504, and 220.7 cm and corresponded to W1S1Z2 treatment, while the minimum corn yield, 1000 seeds weight, number of grains per ear and plant height were 2296 kg/ha, 101.7 g, 159, and 146.3 cm, respectively, and belonged to W2S2Z1 treatment. The maximum water use efficiency (1.41 kg/m3) and its minimum (0.68 kg/m3) were observed in W2S1Z2 and W1S2Z1 treatments, respectively.