Response of corn silage (Zea mays L.) to zinc fertilization on a sandy soil under field and outdoor container conditions

• Published in: Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 145 - 153
• Main Authors: Drissi, Saad, Aït Houssa, Abdelhadi, Bamouh, Ahmed, Benbella, Mohamed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-04-2017
• Subjects: Corn silage; Field experiment; Outdoor containers experiment; Sandy soil; Zinc deficiency; Outdoor containers experiment; Sandy soil; Zinc deficiency; Corn silage; Field experiment
• ISSN: 1658-077X; 1658-077X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssas.2015.05.002

The purpose of the experiments was to evaluate zinc (Zn) fertilization effect on growth, yield and yield components of corn silage grown on a sandy soil under field and outdoor container conditions. Six rates of Zn supply (0 or control; 1.5; 3; 5; 10 and 50mgkg−1) were tested. They were split at three different times during the growing season: (i) 50% immediately after sowing, (ii) 25% at 4–5 leaf stage and (iii) 25% at 8–9 leaf stage. These Zn rates were applied to the soil surface as a solution of Zn sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O). Zn deficiency symptoms appeared at an earlier stage (4–5 leaf stage) as white stripes between the midrib and the margin of leaves for a Zn rate below or equal to 5mgkg−1. Severity of these symptoms manifested more in container than in field. For both experiments, Zn supply induced a significant increase in stem height and leaf area. Furthermore, in both experiments, control plants showed a notable delay in achieving anthesis, silking, pollination and kernels maturity. The maximum shoot dry weight at harvest was recorded with Zn supply of 5mgkg−1 in field experiment and 10mgkg−1 in containers experiment. The shoot dry weight was especially linked to kernels dry weight. This latter was mainly enhanced through two compounds: 1000 kernels dry weight and pollination rate. On the other hand, outdoor container results can be used to help predict field plant responses to Zn except for control treatment.