A study of maize (Zea mays L.) growth state under different environmental stress

A field experiment was carried out during autumn 2013 in a private farm at Al- Hashemia (20 km south east of Hilla ), to study the effect of salicylic acid sprays and phosphorus in the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) under deficit irrigation conditions. Split-split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications were used . The irrigation treatments (A0, full irrigation and A1, deficit irrigation), were operated at main plot , while sub plot operated phosphorus concentrations B0, B1, B2 (without spray, spray phosphorus concentration of 1000 and 2000 mg P.l-1 ), and salicylic acid concentrations C0, C1, C2 (without spray, 0.5 and 1.0 mM, respectively) in sub-sub plots. Maize seed (cv. Buhooth 106 ) were seeded in 20/7/2013 on ridges(70 cm) , and the data on vegetative growth were calculated and analyzed and the average were tested according to least significant difference. The most important results were summarized as follow: Deficit irrigation led to a significant increase in the number of days from planting until male and female flowering , and to reduce significantly all growth indicators (length and weight of root , plant height , number of leaves , chlorophyll content , leaf area and leaf area index). Salicylic and phosphorus spraying led to remove or reduce the negative impact of water stress. Spray phosphorus ( 1000 mg P.l-1 ) was superior and gave the higher rate of growth indicators (root length , plant height , leaves number , chlorophyll content , leaf area and leaf area index). Spraying of salicylic C2 acid (1 mM) was superior by giving a higher rate of plant height , leaf area and leaf area index . The interaction between the factors had a significant effect in most of the studied characteristic.