Impact of the consecutive days of visible wilting on growth and yield during tassel initiation in maize ( Zea Mays L.)

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is a major crop with different uses but shows significant susceptibility to drought stress. Recent climate change has caused prolonged drought stress, but in most countries maize production relies on rain-fed cultivation. This study was to investigate the impact of the consecutive days of visible wilting (DAW) during tassel initiation (V6) using two types of Korean maize hybrids, Gwangpyeongok (GWP) and Ilmichal (Ilmi). The traits related to plant growth and yield were measured at harvest. Drought stress during tassel initiation linearly reduced plant elongation and dry matter accumulation with the length of DAW increasing but did not affect the leaf number per plant. Our results from the simple linear regression analysis indicated that silking of GWP and Ilmi would be delayed by 0.78 and 0.61 days per DAW, respectively, which was similar to anthesis. Still, little change was observed for interval between anthesis and silking under the same condition. The kernels per row were very dependent on the length of DAW but the rows per ear were not. The percentage of filled grains and the 100- grain weight were significantly reduced only at 15- or 20-DAW and more markedly so in Gwangpyeongok at 20-DAW. The filled grain number per plant showed a gradual logistical decline mainly due to decreases in the kernels per row. All these reductions may be because initiation and growth of tassel, ear, and kernels and internode elongation beginning around V6 are sensitive to water deficits. Probit analysis revealed that the DAW to cause 50% reduction in plant grain yield was about 12 and 20 days in GWP and Ilmi, resulting in about 4.5 and 2.7% reduction a day of DAW, respectively. These results indicate that Gwangpyeongok may be more sensitive to drought stress during tassel initiation than Ilmichal.