engleski

Fertilization effects on improvement of drought stress tolerance in maize

Drought in combination with high air- temperatures became serious problem for maize growing in South-eastern European countries. Aim of this study was survey of ameliorative fertilization effects (phosphorus and potassium fertilization, liming) on maize yield under drought stress in 1990, 2000, 2003 and 2007 (precipitation and mean air-temp. in Osijek for 3-month period June-August: 182, 78, 146 and 105 mm ; 20.5, 22.6, 23.3 and 22.8 oC, for 1990, 2000, 2003 and 2007, respectively ; long- term means 1961-1990 = 211 mm and 20.3 oC). Using of P in 2002 resulted by moderate effects in 2003 (7.74 and 8.38 t ha-1, respectively). P application up to 1750 kg P2O5 t/ha in spring of 2005 increased maize yield in 2007 for 38% (3.18 and 4.38 t ha-1, respectively). Application of both P and K (spring 2003) yield of maize increased in 2003 for 14% (7.37 and 8.46 t ha-1, respectively). By using 45 t ha-1 of lime (spring 2000) yields in 2000 and 2003 were increased for 101% (3.97 and 7.98 t ha-1) and 50 % (4.42 and 6.63 t ha-1, respectively). Liming in amount of 15 t ha-1 in spring of 2005, increased maize grain yield in 2007 for 43% (3.99 and 5.69 t ha-1, respectively). By adequate soil management, especially fertilization, it is possible to improve drought tolerance in maize.

drought stress ; maize ; yield ; liming ; Phosphorus fertilization ; Potassium fertilization

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