The dependence of maize (Zea mays) hybrids yielding potential on the water amounts reaching the soil surface

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to observe the response of maize hybrids under rainfed and irrigation conditions of the soil in order to establish the dependence of yielding potential on the water amounts reaching the soil surface during the growing season. The four-replicate trail was set up according to the randomised complete-block design on chernozem. Pre-watering soil moisture was approximately 70% of field water capacity, and soil moisture was established thermogravimetrically. During the five-year studies, the following differences in yields could be as follows: 12.68 t h-1 (ZP 341); 12.76 t ha-1 (ZP 434); 13.17 t h-1 (ZP 578); 14.03 t h-1 (ZP 684) and 13.75 t h-1 (ZP 704) under conditions of 440 mm, 440 mm, 424 mm, 457 mm and 466 mm of water, respectively. The hybrid ZP 341, i.e. ZP 578 expressed the highest, i.e. the lowest tolerance in dry relative seasons, respectively. The reduction of the water amount for every 10 mm decreased the yield by 119.4 kg h-1 (ZP 341), 156.7 kg h-1 (ZP 434), 172.3 kg h-1 (ZP 578), 148.9 kg h-1 (ZP 684) and 151.1 kg h-1 (ZP 704).