EFFECT OF EXTENDED IRRIGATION INTERVALS AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM SULFATE AND PROLINE ON SOME YIELD COMPONENTS AND MINERAL CONTENT OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GRAINS

Abstract

Water stress is a major challenge for maize cultivation, detrimentally affecting the development of yield components and the nutritional value of grains. This study aimed to evaluate the role of foliar-applied potassium sulfate and proline in improving specific ear characteristics (ear length, number of rows, and grains per row) and the mineral content (nitrogen and phosphorus) of grains under varying water-deficit conditions.