Yield and Growth Response of Maize (Zea Mays L. S. C. 704) to Surfactant under Deficit Irrigation

Abstract

The increasing scarcity of water for irrigation is one of the major challenges for forage producers in all arid
and semi-arid regions. Surfactants can be used to mitigate this problem by increasing the speed of water
penetration in the soil and reducing water loss through evaporation. A pot experiment was conducted to
determine the ability of surfactant to hold water in the soil to promote forage corn growth and development
under water deficit irrigation regimes. Pots were arranged in a three-replicated factorial design with three
irrigation regimes of irrigation after 30%, 60%, and 90% of field capacity water depletion combined with and
without application of surfactant. The results showed that application of surfactant increased plant height.
The highest plant dry matter was obtained from irrigation after 30% and 60% field capacity depletion along
with surfactant application, respectively. Moreover, application of surfactant positively and significantly
influenced leaf dry matter, stem dry matter, root dry matter, and leaf/stem ratio under deficit irrigation
regimes.