The Effect of Magnetized Water on the Efficacy of Nicosulfuron, Yield and Yield Components of Corn (Zea mays L.)

There are many factors that affect the efficacy of herbicides such as formulation, physicochemical properties of the herbicide molecule, morphology and physiology of weeds, application time, and environmental conditions at the time of herbicide application and quality of their carriers. Meanwhile, water is considered as the most important and common carrier in most herbicides in which the activity of herbicide molecules are influenced by its quality. In general, there are many factors that stimulate water quality such as water hardness, pH of water, water temperature, bicarbonate ion content, turbidity of water and organic matter, iron and other substances affect the uptake, transport and optimum performance of some herbicides. Effect of magnetic fields on water is now the subject of an increasingly large research effort because it is known to reduce water hardness. In physic science, it is well established that by passing water through a magnetic device, the water can be influenced. However, the literature review in physical science in different country indicated also that magnetized water induced a change in water physicochemical properties such as conductivity, surface tension, viscosity, vaporization rate, and pH. So this technology was used in different countries who all reported the successful use of magnets in treating water for herbicide application. Using magnetized water in sprayer`s tank for some herbicide which sensitive to hard water, with reduced does, might lead to better weed control.

To study the effect of passing water of sprayer`s tank through magnetic field on Nicosulfuron efficacy, yield and yield components of Corn (Zea mays L.) two factorial experiments conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at the research field of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad ( Lat 36˚15' N, Long 59˚28' E; 985 m Altitude) during 2016-2017. Experimental factors included Nicosulfuron dose in 5 levels: 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 g a.i. ha-1 (recommended dose) and water type of sprayer`s tank with 3 levels (no magnetic water, 10 and 20 times passed water through magnetic field 650 mT). Magnetized water was produced by a commercial magnet namely AQUA CORRECT (650 Gauss magnetic field). Plots were sprayed on 6-leaf stage of corn by a knapsack sprayer with a flat nozzle no. 8002 at 240 kPa and with delivery volume of 185 liters per hectare. At the end of growth season (physiological maturity of corn), crop height, yield and yield components of corn including plant height, No. of row per ear, ear length, No. of grain per row, No. of total grain per ear, 100 seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index and total weed density and total weed biomass measured in 2 m2 area of each plot. After Batrlet test and confirmation of homogeneity of error between two years of all data were analyzed by SAS ver. 9.1 and Excel ver. 2007 and treatments were separated using LSD Test. All statements of significance were based on probability of (P ≤ 0.05).

According to the results, 10 times of passing water of sprayer`s tank through magnetic field (650 mT) combined to 60 and 80 g a.i. ha-1 Nicosulfuron significantly reduced total weed density and biomass in corn field. The maximum biological yield of crop (42510 Kg ha-1), grain number in ear`s row (45), total number of grain per ear (627.2) and weight of 100 grain of corn (35.5 g) observed in 10 times of passing water of sprayer`s tank through magnetic field (650 mT) with the 60 and 80 g a.i. ha-1 of Nicosulfuron, which were 57, 21, 44, and19% more than the control treatment (no herbicide and no magnetized water), respectively. Also grain yield of corn increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in control treatment of water with increasing the Nicosulfuron herbicide doses in both years of this experiment. The maximum yield observed in the combination of maximum Nicosulfuron dose with 10 times passed water of sprayer`s tank through magnetic field (650 mT) in both years. The lowest grain yield observed in the control treatment and the highest ones achieved in 100 percentage of herbicide recommended dose. It was concluded that the best combination treatment was 60 and 80 g a.i. ha-1 of Nicosulfuron and 10 times passing water sprayer`s tank through magnetic field 650 mT for corn.