Efficacy of Different Levels of Hydrogel and Crop Geometric Strategies in Overcoming the Pessimistic Effect of Abiotic Stress on Growth and Yield Attributes of Spring Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Background: Climate change is a major issue across the globe. The erratic weather conditions fluctuate to create uncertain and stressful abiotic conditions. With escalating abiotic stress analogous to the decline in freshwater accessibility and soil properties, global food security is at stake. Methods: The experiment was implemented in the spring seasons of 2022 and 2023 to assess the impact of different levels of hydrogel and crop geometric strategies on the growth and yield attributes of spring maize. The field trial was executed in split-plot design with three levels of hydrogel i.e., 0 (@ 0 kg/ha), 50% (@ 1.5 kg/ha) and 100% (@ 3 kg/ha); four crop geometric strategies i.e., normal spacing (70 x 25 cm); paired-row spacing (55-85 x 25 cm); normal spacing with seed capsule (70 x 25 cm) and paired-row spacing with seed capsule (55-85 x 25 cm). Here we correlate the outcomes with the factors in incapacitating the pessimistic effects of abiotic stress on spring maize. Result: The results revealed that the attributes were significantly affected by the employment of the combination hydrogel @ 3 kg/ha + paired-row spacing with seed capsule at (55-85 x 25 cm) which was also found effective in overcoming the abiotic stress. There was a significant enhancement of growth attributes as well as grain yield by 28.1% and 29.3%; stover yield by 24.4% and 19.9% compared to control in 2022 and 2023 respectively.