Evaluating the application of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent on growing traits and yield components of corn under water stress condition

In order to investigate the effects of mycorrhizal fungus and superabsorbent on growth traits and yield components of maize under water stress conditions, this study was conducted in Hamadan province in the crop year 2019. In this experiment, low irrigation treatments including optimal irrigation (irrigation at 3-bar soil water potential), moderate drought stress (irrigation at 7-bar soil water potential) and severe drought stress (irrigation at 11-bar soil water potential) as the main factor and Mycorrhizal and superabsorbent polymer biofertilizer and their combination with non-consumption of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent as a sub-factor, were studied in factorial split plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design. The studied traits included plant height, leaf area index, ear length, ear periphery, row number per ear, number of seeds per row, 100 seed weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index. The results showed that all growing traits and yield were significantly affected by superabsorbent and mycorrhizal application. By increasing the drought stress intensity, the growth and yield components decreased, but the decrease was significantly lower in comparison to application of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent polymer. The use of mycorrhiza and superabsorbent in severe stress condition could increase biological yield by about 12% and 22% as compared with control. Lowest grain yield (4.25 t/ha) was obtained by severe stress without application of bio-fertilizer and superabsorbent.