Effects of Water Stress on Yield and Some Agronomic Traits of Maiz (SC 301)

Abstract: Field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Varamin Agricultural Research Centre on a clay loam soil to study the effect of water deficits at different growth stages on growth, some physiological aspects and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrid maize [SC 301], with the use of a randomized complete block design with three replications.Studied treatments were including drought stress in 3 growth stages as before silking, during silking and in seed filling period in compare with normal irrigation as check. Water stress at before silking, silking or grain filling growth stages caused a significant reduction in the different growth parameters studied at 90 days after planting as compared with the normal irrigation regime. Data showed that water deficit significantly decreased yield. Water deficit at before silking, silking and filling growth stage decrease yield by 12.5, 42.0 and 22.5 % respectively. Data indicated that the most sensitive growth stage to water stress is silking growth stage and should be attention that to avoid of yield decreasing, contraception of water stress in this growth stage is necessary. Key words: Water deficits Maize Yield INTRODUCTION [14] and osmotic adjustment [15]. According to Kramer Maize is one of the most important crops which delaying dehydration where the plant maintains a grown on an area of 700 thousand hectares in Iran [1]. The relatively high plant water potential or by tolerating