The Effect of Drip Irrigation Quota on Biochemical Activities and Yield-Related Traits in Different Drought-Tolerant Maize Varieties

Chen Xu, Fei Li, Yan Zhuang, Qian Li, Zhian Zhang (), Lihua Zhang (), Hongxiang Zhao, Shaofeng Bian, Hongjun Wang, Renjie Zhao and Zexin Qi
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Chen Xu: College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Fei Li: College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Yan Zhuang: College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Qian Li: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment Research, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Zhian Zhang: College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Lihua Zhang: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment Research, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Hongxiang Zhao: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment Research, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Shaofeng Bian: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment Research, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Hongjun Wang: Institute of Agricultural Resources and Environment Research, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, China
Renjie Zhao: College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Zexin Qi: College of Agriculture, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Drip irrigation has a close relationship with the growth and development of maize grains and yield formation in semiarid areas. To explore the response mechanism of grain yield formation to drip irrigation quotas, a 2-year pond planting experiment was conducted under controlled conditions, by using two maize varieties with differences in drought resistance as experimental materials. Six treatments were set up, including CK1 (drought-resistant variety, 500 mm), T1 (drought-resistant variety, 350 mm), T2 (drought-resistant variety, 200 mm), CK2 (drought-sensitive variety, 500 mm), T3 (drought-sensitive variety, 350 mm), and T4 (drought-sensitive variety, 200 mm). The changes in maize grain filling characteristics, related hormones, enzyme activity related to starch synthesis, sugars and amino acids contents, and yield were analysed. The results showed that 100-grain weight at different filling times, filling rate, average filling rate, auxin, cytokinin, acid sucrose invertase, sucrose synthase, starch synthase, and adenosine diphosphate glucose pyro phosphorylase activities in maize grains decreased and the abscisic acid content and content of various amino acids and sugars in grains increased with the decrease in drip irrigation quota. The percentage of changes in drought-sensitive maize varieties was relatively high. The maize yield decreased with the decrease in drip irrigation quota. In summary, there was no significant difference in grain filling characteristics, hormone content, starch synthesis enzyme activity, and yield between maize treated with T1 (drought-resistant variety, 350 mm) and the control treatment. This effectively maintained grain growth and yield formation, achieving the goal of water saving and stable yields.

Keywords: maize ( Zea mays L.); drip irrigation; grain filling; yield; starch synthesis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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