Effect of different irrigation levels on biochemical traits, yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) under conservation and conventional tillage systems

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. student of Crop Ecology, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

4 PhD in Crop Ecology, Ilam Agricultural Jihad Organization, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Water stress is a primary limiting factor for plant growth and crop productivity. Given the scarcity of water resources in Iran and the need to enhance water use efficiency (WUE), various deficit irrigation strategies have become essential for sustainable agricultural water management. Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and partial root-zone drying (PRD) are two important management approaches under water-limited conditions. Conservation tillage is a fundamental practice in conservation agriculture that can effectively mitigate the adverse impacts of water stress on plant growth and yield. In agroecosystems, conservation tillage enhances crop productivity and promotes sustainability while conserving water resources and improving environmental quality. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the responses of maize yield, yield components, and biochemical traits to different tillage systems and irrigation regimes in Ilam.
 
Materials and methods
The field experiment was conducted as a split-plot arrangement within a randomized complete block design with three replications at the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, during the 2022–2023 growing season. The main plots consisted of three tillage levels (no-tillage, minimum tillage, and conventional tillage), while the subplots included five irrigation regimes ( irrigation at 100, 75, and 50% of soil field capacity, and variable PRD at 75 and 50% of soil field capacity).
 
Results and discussion
Significant interaction effects of the studied factors were observed on grain yield, biological yield, total phenols, and ear height. Increasing the irrigation level from 50% to 100% field capacity significantly improved the number of rows per ear, 100-grain weight, and both grain and biological yields. The highest grain and biological yields were obtained under irrigation at 100% of soil field capacity combined with conventional tillage (11,479 and 24,623 kg ha⁻¹, respectively), likely due to improved soil structure, enhanced root development, and reduced competition for water uptake. Also, the highest 100-grain weight (30.24 g) was recorded under full irrigation conditions. The maximum number of rows per ear (15.62), harvest index (46.62%), and chlorophyll content (a, b, and total: 13.1, 9.25, and 22.36 mg g⁻¹ FW, respectively) were recorded under 100% irrigation. Chlorophyll a, b, and total contents were higher under 50% PRD irrigation compared to 50% deficit irrigation. The highest carotenoid content was recorded under 50% deficit irrigation (3.56 mg g⁻¹ FW) and under conventional tillage (3.34 mg g⁻¹ FW). Water deficit decreased chlorophyll content and increased carotenoids, indicating a physiological response of the plant to water stress. Total phenol content also increased under drought stress, indicating plant adaptation to adverse environmental conditions. The highest total phenol content (6.88 mg gallic acid g⁻¹ FW) was observed under conventional tillage combined with 75% PRD irrigation. Furthermore, cob height reached its maximum under no-tillage conditions at both 75% and 100% irrigation levels (105.8 and 105.67 cm, respectively), with no significant difference between these two treatments. The no-tillage system outperformed other tillage treatments under deficit irrigation by enhancing soil moisture retention, thereby promoting higher dry matter accumulation.
 
Conclusion
The findings indicate that irrigation levels and tillage systems significantly affect maize agronomic and biochemical traits. Under deficit irrigation conditions, the best performance was achieved with PRD. Integrating PRD with a no-tillage system can enhance water use efficiency and promote dry matter accumulation. Furthermore, preserving natural soil structure and crop residues improves soil moisture retention, thereby mitigating the adverse impacts of drought stress.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 March 2026

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  • Receive Date: 27 January 2025
  • Revise Date: 14 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 21 March 2025

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