ROLE OF SOIL ADDITION OF ZEOLITE AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ANTI-TRANSPIRANTS IN SUPPRESSION WATER DEFICIT IMPEDING MAIZE PERFORMANCE

Water scarcity poses a significant threat to maize production in Egypt. The researchers are engaged in developing technology or research findings for solving water deficit induced sufferings of maize. Therefore, a field trial was performed to assess three irrigation intervals as main plots [irrigation every 8 days which represents the followed irrigation and irrigation every 10 and 12 days which represents the water deficit], addition of zeolite as soil conditioner at different rates [0.0 ( control), 5.0 and10 ton fed-1] as subplots and foliar application of anti-transpirants as sub-subplots i.e., without (control), kaolin (2 %) and magnesium carbonate (2 %)] on the performance of maize plant and soil fertility after harvest. The main results showed that maize plants irrigated every 10 and 12 days had a low performance regarding growth and yield compared to that irrigated every 8 days which exhibited relatively better performance on growth and yield. Soil addition of zeolite improved plant performance, where the enhancement of maize performance increased as the zeolite rate increased. Foliar application of anti-transpirants improved plant performance, but the kaolin was more effective than magnesium carbonate. Soil addition of zeolite before sowing at both studied rates under irrigation interval of 10 days with or without foliar application of anti-transpirants realized performance and yield better than that of plants grown without any treatment under irrigation interval of 8 days taking into consideration the positive role of studied anti-transpirants. Water deficit stress (irrigation every 10 and 12 days) led to raise antioxidants production in plants leaves, while zeolite amendment and foliar application of anti-transpirants led to a decline of biosynthesis of antioxidants in maize plants. Zeolite had positive effect on soil fertility at harvest stage. Water holding capacity values of soil after harvest elucidated that zeolite conditioner had a vital role in saving irrigation water.