Impact of different sowing dates and irrigation levels on NPK absorption, yield and water use efficiency of maize

Abstract

Upper Egypt experiences high temperatures during summer and low temperatures during winter, which significantly impacts the sowing dates of maize in this region. The productivity of maize crops and water use efficiency can be greatly affected by water stress and sowing dates (SDs). Therefore, it is crucial to determine the optimal irrigation level and SDs based on local conditions. To assess the effects, two irrigation levels were employed: (1) control (full irrigation water applied) and (2) 70% of irrigation water. Field experiments were conducted at the National Water Research Center's water studies and research complex station in Toshka. The aim was to evaluate two irrigation levels (full and limited irrigation) across five SDs (early: mid-February and March, normal: mid-June, and late: mid-August and September) in both 2019 and 2020, in order to identify the ideal sowing date (SD) and irrigation level. The normal SD resulted in an increased the growth season length between plant emergence and maturity. Conversely, the late SD reduced the number of days until plant maturity, resulting in higher grain yields and water use efficiency (WUE). Notably, the SD in September, coupled with the 70% irrigation level, yielded the highest productivity and WUE, with a productivity of 7014 kg ha−1 and a WUE of 0. 9 kg m−3. Based on the findings, it is recommended that regions with similar conditions consider cultivating maize seeds in September, adopting a 70% irrigation level, to achieve optimal N uptake, growth traits (plant height, ear length, ear weight, number of rows per ear, and grain index weight), yield, and WUE.

Effects of sowing dates and phosphorus levels on cotton growth and yield: soil analysis and implications

“…In the present study, sowing dates D1 and D2 produced higher gin turnout of 40.08 and 40.12%, respectively relative to gin turnout of 39.97% recorded in sowing date D3, with the same trend realized for the separate yields of lint. Previous studies have found varying performance of cotton as affected by sowing dates, nutrient inputs, and sowing densities (Guzman et al, 2019;Li et al, 2021;Abaza et al, 2023). Importantly, parameters widely reported to be affected include plant height, number of branches, fruiting nodes, number of bolls, boll retention rate, seed cotton yield, and lint yield (Khan et al, 2017(Khan et al, , 2019Tuttolomondo et al, 2020).…”

Вплив Строків Сівби На Врожайність Кукурудзи

“…Основними факторами, що впливають на врожайність кукурудзи, є строк сівби та вибір сорту, зокрема родючість ґрунту, температурний режим і опади [2]. Терміни посіву відіграють вирішальну роль у максимізації врожайності кукурудзи і якості зерна [3,4], оскільки затримка строків посівів може призвести до лінійного зниження врожайності зерна [5]. Також стверджується, що рання посадка навесні є оптимальною і ефективнішою, тоді як затримка строків посіву призводить до зниження врожайності зерна кукурудзи.…”

Effects of Climate Change and Drought Tolerance on Maize Growth

“…Maintain survival and productivity in drought conditions. [132][133][134][135] Response to low precipitation • Developing maize varieties for water use efficiency [136][137][138][139][140][141] There is an urgent need to develop maize varieties that are resistant to stresses such as drought and high temperatures, or that can adapt to changing ecosystems such as climate change. However, while the development of new maize varieties is important, the introduction of new cultivation technologies is also necessary.…”