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Maize stem diameter variation under precision drip irrigation and foliar micronutrient treatments
87-92Views:0Foliar application of micronutrients has gained research interest due to the growing need to efficiently and precisely deliver plant nutrients at the most critical growth stages. Stem diameter has proved to have a positive significant correlation with yield across many crop species such as maize, due to its vigorous and robust ability to transport water and micronutrients. Therefore, this study examined the effects of precision drip irrigation and foliar application of micronutrients on stem diameter of FAO490 maize hybrid. A field experiment laid as a split–split-plot design with treatments consisting of foliar treatment and control under irrigation and non-irrigation was conducted. Stem diameter data were collected at the 12-leaf stage (V12), tasseling stage, R1, and R6. ANOVA results showed that precision drip irrigation significantly influenced stem diameter (P<0.001), while foliar fertilisation and its interaction with precision drip irrigation showed meaningful effects. The mean stem diameter under precision drip irrigation was 26.96 mm compared to non-irrigated conditions (24.24 mm). Foliar fertilisation treatment had a higher mean stem diameter (26.63 mm) compared to control (24.57 mm), representing an 8.4% growth difference. Foliar fertilisation was more effective under precision drip irrigation with the mean stem diameter significantly high (28.83 mm) for treatment over the control (25.08 mm) thus a 14.9% stem diameter enhancement. Foliar fertilisation under non-irrigated conditions recorded a 1.6% stem diameter increase between treatment (24.43 mm) and control (24.05 mm). This study indicates that precision drip irrigation primarily influenced stem diameter growth and development, however foliar fertilisation further enhanced stem growth under adequate water supplementation, suggesting a positive significant synergistic effect under precision drip irrigated conditions.