Physiological response of sweet corn (Zea mays Ls.) grown under sandy soil to α-tocopherol treatments and different irrigation systems

Background Antioxidants or vitamins are organic compounds that are needed in tiny quantities and have stimulatory role on growth and productivity of different plants. Two field experiments were conducted in two summer seasons to investigate the role of two irrigation systems (spraying and dripping) and α-tocopherol foliar treatment with different concentrations (0, 100 and 200 mg/L) on some growth indices and physiological aspects, yield and its components of sweet corn plants. Results The results show that dripping irrigation system was more effective than Sprinkler system on increasing the studied growth indices and biochemical attributes as well as yield quantity and quality. The results also show the enhancing effect of different α-tocopherol treatments on growth indices, and yield quantity and quality of the sweet corn varieties via enhancing photosynthetic pigments, indole acetic acid, phenolics, carbohydrates constituents, free amino acids and proline contents. Moreover, the interaction between the two irrigation systems and different concentrations α-tocopherol showed that, dripping irrigation with 200 mg/L α-tocopherol was the most effective treatment on increasing growth, yield and yield components of sweet corn plants. Conclusion It could be concluded that dripping irrigation system was more effective than Sprinkler system on increasing the studied growth indices and physiological aspects, yield and its constituents. Moreover, treatment of maize plant with α-tocopherol could improve the studied growth indices, physiological aspects and consequently yield.