Application of Multivariate Statistical Techniques for Determining of Affecting Factors in Water Use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Conditions of Simultaneous Application of Nitrogen and Ecofriendly Inputs

بوم شناسی کشاورزی

Article 8, Volume 14, Issue 3 - Serial Number 53, September 2022, Pages 509-529   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/agry.2021.67224.0

Authors

Mohsen Jahan¹; Mohamad Behzad Amiri^{* 2}; Milad Saleh Ababdi³; Negar Naseri³; sedighe Abbasi⁴

¹Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran,

²Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gonabad,Gonabad, Iran.

³Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gonabad, Gonabad, Iran.

⁴Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction
Water stress is one of the most important factors in reducing the yield of agricultural products worldwide. If the stress is intensive and continuous, plant growth and productivity are severely diminished. 
Water superabsorbent polymer can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to its own mass. They have a wide range of applications because of their high water absorbing capacity, biodegradability and low cost.
Humic acid is an organic compound that is derived from the decomposition of organic matter and contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. This acid plays a key role in increasing the fertility of the soil and feeding the plant when added to the plant, in helps to increase its growth through its effect to photosynthesis, respiration, increase the plants resistance to harsh environmental conditions and stimulates many of the vital interactions within the plant.
Salicylic acid, a naturally occurring plant hormone, acts as an important signaling molecule and enhances tolerance of treated plants against biotic stresses. Salicylic acid also has a vital role in plant growth, ion uptake, and nutrient transport within the plant.
Factor analysis is a technique that is used to reduce a large number of variables into fewer numbers of factors. This technique extracts maximum common variance from all variables and puts them into a common score.
 Materials and Methods
In order to evaluate the effects of different irrigation levels and nutritional treatments and determining factors affecting water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.), a split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted during 2015-16 growing season, at Research Field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Irrigation levels in two levels (50 and 100% of water requirement) and nutritional treatments in five levels (1- Nitrogen+Superabsorbent, 2- Superabsorbent+Humic acid+Salicylic acid, 3- Humic acid+Salicylic acid+Nitrogen, 4- Humic acid+ Salicylic acid+Nitrogen+Superabsorbent and 5- Control) assigned to main and sub plots, respectively.
 Results and Discussion
The results showed that all of the nutritional treatments affected water use efficiency, but in both conditions of 50 and 100% of water requirement, the highest water use efficiency were obtained in treatment of Humic acid+Salicylic acid+Nitrogen+Superabsorbent. The highest seed yield (17542 kg.ha^-1) observed in treatment of nitrogen+superabsorbent+humic acid+Salicylic acid and supply 100% of water requirement and the lowest seed yield (12515 kg.ha^-1) obtained in treatment of control and supply 50% of water requirement. Factor analysis results showed that variables analyzed to two factors. First factor included 51% of variables variance, respectively. First factor included variables of seed yield, biological yield, plant height, leaf area index, crop growth rate and soil nitrogen, phosphorous and pH and variables of seed weight per plant, soil EC and water use efficiency were in second factor. In first factor, important variables such as soil nitrogen, phosphorous were included, so this factor describe soil conditions and second factor which had the highest impact on water use efficiency was called as water use efficiency factor. In a research reported that application of water superabsorbent increased seed yield of maize compared to control. In another research, the highest seed yield of maize obtained in treatment of simultaneous application of 120 kg.ha^-1 water superabsorbent and 8 kg.ha^-1 humic acid. Application of salicylic acid and humic acid enhanced seed yield of maize 24.5 and 24.2% compared to control, respectively.
 
Conclusion
In general, based on results of this research, it seems simultaneous application of nitrogen and ecological inputs can improve yield, growth characteristics and water use efficiency. Factor analysis and high correlation among variables in same group showed that with change of variables that are in same group of water use efficiency, can increased water use efficiency and decreased damages of drought stress.
 Acknowledgements
This study was financially supported by the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
 

 

Keywords

Drought Stress; Factor Analysis; Humic Acid; Salicylic Acid; Superabsorbent

References

Abedi-Koupai, J, Sohrab, J., and Swarbrick, G., 2008. Evaluation of hydrogel application on soil water retention characteristics. Journal of Plant Nutrition 31: 317-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/01904160701853928

Ahmadi, M., Mondani, F., Khorramivafa, M., Mohammadi, G., and Shirkhani, A., 2018. Effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components of some new maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) in Kermanshah. Plant Ecophysiology 10: 212-222. (In Persian with English Summary)

Aghayari, F, Khalili, F., and Ardakani, M.R., 2016. Effect of deficit irrigation, partial irrigation and superabsorbent polymer on yield and yield components of corn (cv. KSC703). Journal of Water and Soil Resources Conservation 6: 1-14. (In Persian with English Summary)

Alah Gholipour, M., and Mohammad Salehi, M.S., 2003. Factor and path analysis in different rice genotypes. Journal of Seed and Plant Production 19: 76-87. (In Persian) https://doi.org/10.29252/jcb.10.27.143

Alizadeh, A., and Kamali, G., 2008. Water Requirement of Plants in Iran. Emam Reza University Press Iran. pp: 228. (In Persian)

Amini, B., Farahbakhsh, M., and Kianirad, M., 2017. Study on the effects of humic acid-urea fertilizers application on some agronomic characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.). Applied Soil Research 5: 31-40. (In Persian with English Summary)

Bagheri, R., Akbari, G., Kianmehr, M.H., and Tahmasbi Sarvestani, Z., 2011. The effect of slow releasing nitrogen from pellet fertilizer of nitrogen and manure on grain yield and some physiological characteristics of corn. Electronic Journal of Crop Production 4(1): 97-113. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.24763594.1391.16.59.15.8

Bahrani, M.J., and Babaei, G.H., 2007. Effect of different levels of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield and its components and some quality traits in two sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cultivars. Iranian Journal of Crop Sciences 9(3): 237-245. (In Persian with English Summary)

Bayat, S., and Sepehri Zare, A., 2010. Effect of foliar application of salicylic acid and paclobutrazol on some grain yield and dry matter remobilization of maize under drought stress. Journal of Cereal Research 4(2): 127-139. (In Persian) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.22520163.1393.4.2.4.0      

Bremner, J.M., and Mulvaney, C.S., 1965. Nitrogen-Total. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part II, Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Page, A.L. (Ed). 1982. Second Edition. American Society of Agronomy Inc. Madison, Wisconsin USA. Agronomy Series 9: 595-622. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed.c31

Chu, M., Zhu, S.Q., Li, H.M., Huang, Z.B., and S.Q., Li., 2006. Synthesis of poly (acrylic acid)/sodium humate superabsorbent composite for agricultural use. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 102: 5137-5143. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.24661

Dehghanzade Jazi, H., and Adavi, Z., 2019. Effect of salicylic acid and humic acid on some physiological characteristics and yield of forage maize (Zea mays L.) under drought tension conditions. Crop Physiology Journal 40: 35-54. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.2008403.1397.10.40.4.0

El-Tayeb, M.A., 2005. Response of barley to the interactive effect of salinity and salicylic acid. Plant Growth Regulation 45: 215-225. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-005-4928-1

Eneji, A.E., Islam, R., An, P., and Amalu, U.C., 2013. Nitrate retention and physiological adjustment of maize to soil amendment with superabsorbent polymers. Journal of Cleaner Production 52: 474-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.02.027

Fazeli Rostampour, M., and Mohebbian, S.M., 2012. Studying the effects of irrigation deficit and superabsorbent polymer on remobilization of assimilates in corn (Zea mays L.). Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences 4: 127-138. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22077/escs.2012.105

Ghorbani, S., Khazaei, H.R., Kafi, M., Banayan Aval, M., and Sadeghi Shoae, M., 2014. Effect of foliar application of humic acid on yield, yield components and growth indices of maize. Journal of Crop Production Research 5: 325-337. (In Persian with English Summary)

Hassanzadeh, A., and Farajzadeh Memari Tabrizi, E., 2016. Ecophysiological evaluation of three maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars under irrigation regimes and use of super absorbent. Journal of Crop Ecophysiology 10: 151-166. (In Persian with English Summary)

Heydaripour, R., Nassiri Mahallati, M., Koocheki, A., and Zare Feizeabadi, A., 2014. The effects of different levels of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on productivity and efficiency in corn, sugar beet and sesame. Journal of Agroecology 6(2): 187-198. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22067/jag.v6i2.39361

Heidaripour, R., Koocheki, A.R., and Nassiri Mahallati, M., 2017. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer and density unusual levels on plant growth characteristics, grain and forage yield of maize. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science 48: 865-876. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22059/ijfcs.2017.217558.654194

Horvath, E., Janda, T., Szalai, G., and Paldi, E., 2002. In vitro salicylic acid inhibition of catalase activity in maize: differences between the isozymes and a possible role in the induction of chilling tolerance. Plant Sciecne 163: 1129-1135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9452(02)00324-2

Islam, M.R., Eneji, A.E., Ren, C., Li, J., and Hu, Y., 2011. Impact of water-saving superabsorbent polymer on oat (Avena spp.) yield and quality in an arid sandy soil. Scientific Research and Essays 6: 720-728. http://doi.org/10.5897/SRE10.476

Jahan, M., and Amiri, M.B., 2020. Principal components analysis for water use efficiency of common bean, sesame and maize in response of application of water super absorbent hydrogel. Journal of Water and Soil Resources Conservation, 9(3): 73-92.. (In Persian) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.22517480.1399.9.3.5.7

Jahan, M., and Amiri, M.B., 2018 a. Effective factors on water use efficiency in sesame, maize and common bean in response to salicylic acid under deficit irrigation condition. Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production 28(1): 249-266. (In Persian) http://doi.org/10.29252/jstnar.22.3.373  

Jahan, M., and Amiri, M.B., 2018 b. Determining the effective factors in water use efficiency (WUE) of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in response to humic acid application and deficit irrigation. Journal of Water and Soil Science (Science and Technology of Agriculture and Natural Resources) 22(3): 373-394. (In Persian) http://doi.org/10.29252/jstnar.22.3.373  

Jahan, M., Amiri, B., and Noorbakhsh, F., 2017. Evaluation of the increased rates of water super absorbent and humic acid application under deficit irrigation condition on some agroecological characteristics of Zea mays using response surface methodology. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research 14(4): 766-784. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22067/gsc.v14i4.48347

Jahan, M., Kamayestani, N., and Ranjbar, F., 2013. Assay for applying super absorbent polymer in a low input corn (Zea mays L.) production system aimed to reduce drought stress under Mashhad conditions. Journal of Agroecology 5(3): 272-281. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22067/jag.v5i3.28999

Kalantari, K., 2012. Data Processing and Analysis in Socio-economic Research. Farhang Saba Pub., Tehran. ISBN: 978-964-2935-38-3. pp: 388. (In Persian)

Karimi, A., and Naderi, M., 2007. Yield and water use efficiency of forage corn as influenced superabsorbent polymer application in soils with different textures. Agricultural Research 3: 187-198. (In Persian with English Summary)

Khadem, S.A., Ghalavio, M., Ramroodi, S.R., Mousavi, M.J., and Rezvani-Moghadam, P., 2011. Effect of animal manure and superabsorbent polymer on yield and yield components on corn (Zea mays L.). Iranian Journal of Crop Science 42(1): 115-123. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.20084811.1390.42.1.12.8

Kang, C., and Wang, C., 2003. Salicylic acid changes activities of H₂O₂ metabolizing enzymes and increase the chilling tolerance of banana seedlings. Environment and Experimental Botany 50(1): 9-15. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0098-8472(02)00109-0

Koocheki, A., and Sarmadnia, G., 2006. Crop Physiology. Mashhad Jahad University Press, Iran. pp. 254-255. (In Persian)

Mansourfar, K., 2012. Advanced Statistical Methods Using Applied Software. University of Tehran Press pp. 253-364. (In Persian)

Mehrabian Moghaddam, N., Arvin, M.J., Khajueenejad, G., and Maghsudi, K., 2011. Effect of salicylic acid on growth and seed and forage yield of maize in conditions of drought stress in farm. Journal of Seed and Plant Production 27: 41-55. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22092/sppj.2017.110423

Moazzen Ghamsari, B., Akbari, G., Zohorian, M.J., and Nikniaee, A.B., 2010. An Evaluation of growth and yield of forage corn with application of different levels of superabsorbent polymer (Superab A₂₀₀) and under drought stress. Iranian Journal of Field Crop Science 40 (3): 1-8. (In Persian with English Summary) 20.1001.1.20084811.1388.40.3.1.7 

Mohammadipour, E., Golchin, A., Mohammadi, J., Negahdar, N., and Zarchini, M., 2012. Effect of humic acid on yield and quality of marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Annals of Biological Research 3: 5095-5098.

Mohammadzadeh, A., Majnoon Hosseini, N., Moghaddam, H., and Akbari, M., 2012. Effect of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer levels on physiological characteristics of two red kidney bean genotypes. Iranian Journal of Crop Sciences 14(3): 294-308. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.15625540.1391.14.3.7.2  

Morphy, J., and Riley, J.P., 1962. Phosphorus analysis procedure. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part II, Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Page, A. L. (Ed). 1982. Second Edition. Madison, Wisconsin USA. pp. 413-427. http://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed

Nazarli, H., Zardashti, M.R., Darvishzadeh, R., and Najafi, S., 2010. The effect of water stress and polymer on water use efficiency, yield and several morphological traits on sunflower. Not Science Biology 2: 53-58. https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb244823

Nykanen, V.P.S., Nykanen, A., Puska, M.A., Goulart-Silva, G., and Ruokolainen, J., 2011. Dual-reponsive and super absorbing thermally cross-linked hydrogel based on methacrylate substituted polyphosphazene. Soft Matter 7: 4414-4424. https://doi.org/10.1039/C0SM01000F

Olsen, S.R., and Sommers, L.E., 1982. Phosphorus. In: Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2, Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Page, A.L. (Ed). 1982. Second Edition. American Society of Agronomy Inc. Madison, Wisconsin USA. Agronomy Series 9: 403-411. http://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr9.2.2ed

Payeroa, J.O., Tarkalson, D.D., Irmakc, S., Davisond, D., and Petersend, J.L., 2009. Effect of timing of a deficit-irrigation allocation on corn evapotranspiration, yield, water use efficiency and dry mass. Agricultural Water Management 96(10): 1387–1397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.03.022

Piccolo, A., Nardi, S., and Concheri, G., 1992. Structural characteristics of humic substances as related to nitrate uptake and growth regulation in plant systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 24: 373-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(92)90197-6

Raghara, H., and Moosavi, S., 2018. Effect of water deficit stress and application of humic and salicylic acid on physiological traits, yield and yield components of corn. Journal of Iranian Plant Ecophysiological Research 13: 88-101. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/20.1001.1.76712423.1397.13.50.7.2

Rentato, Y., Ferreira, M.E., Cruz, M.C., and Barbosa, J.C., 2003. Organic matter fraction and soil fertility the influence of liming vermicompost and cattle manure. Bioresource Technology 60: 59-63. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162003000300021

Rezazadeh, H., Khrasani, S.K., and Haghighi, R.S.A., 2012. Effects of humic acid on decrease of phosphorus usage in forage maize var. KSC₇₀₄ (Zea mays L.). Australian Journal of Agricultural Engineering 3: 34-38.

Shaaban, S.H.A., 2009. Humic acid foliar application to minimize soil applied fertilization of surface irrigationed wheat. Agricultural Sciences 5: 207-210.

Shahryari, R., Gurbanov, E., Gadimov, A., and Hassanpanah, D., 2008. Tolerance of 42 bread wheat genotypes to drought stress after anthesis. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 11: 1330-1335. http://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2008.1330.1335

Sharif, M., Khattak, R.A., and Sarir, M.S., 2002. Effect of different levels of lignitic coal derived humic acid on growth of maize plants. Plant Analysis 33: 3567-3580. https://doi.org/10.1081/CSS-120015906

Siami, R., Mirshekari, B., Farahvash, F., Rashidi, V., and Tarinejad, A., 2017. The effect of seed priming with salicylic acid and water deficit tension on enzyme activity and yield of grain corn. Crop Physiology Journal 34: 23-35. (In Persian with English Summary) http://doi.org/10.22077/escs.2019.1497.1333

Sidari, M., Attina, E., Francioso, O., Tugnoli, V., and Nardi, S., 2006. Biological activity of humic substances is related to their chemical structure. Soil Science Society of America Journal 71: 75-85. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj2006.0055

Tousi Mojarrad, M., Ghannadha, M.R., Khodarahmi, M., and Shahabi, S., 2005. Factor analysis for seed yield and some wheat characteristics. Journal of Pajouhesh and Sazandegi 66: 9-16. (In Persian with English Summary)

Xie, L., Liu, M., Ni, B., Zhang, X., and Wang, Y., 2011. Slow-release nitrogen and boron fertilizer from a functional superabsorbent formulation based on wheat straw and attapulgite. Chemical Engineering Journal 167: 342-348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2010.12.082

Zeinali, H., Nasrabadi, A., Hoseinzadeh, H., Chougan, R., and Sabokdast, M., 2005. Factor analysis of hybrid varieties of maize. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Science 36: 895-902. (In Persian with English Summary)

Zhong, K., Zheng, X.L., Mao, X.Y., Lin, Z.T., and Jiang, G.B., 2012. Sugarcane bagasse derivative-based superabsorbent containing phosphate rock with water-fertilizer integration. Carbohydrate Polymers 90: 820-826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.06.006