EFFECTS OF FOLIAR FERTILISATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF HYBRID SEED MAIZE

Maize is one of the most widely cultivated crops across the world due to its high importance in animal feeding, human nutrition, and many industrial processes. Fertilization is a key component of any crop production system and it is one of the technological elements where improvement is always searched. Foliar fertilization is an effective way to treat nutrient deficiency, to improve plant nutrition status and to help plants surpass stress periods. Foliar biostimulators are important for giving the possibility to stimulate plant metabolism and enhance plant protection mechanisms. Starting from these ideas, the aim of this paper is to present the results of the research focused on studying the effect of different combinations of classic macro & micro nutrient foliar fertilizers (Basfoliar 36 Extra, Foliar Extra, Vertex Hi-N 34, Maize Extra, Manzinc SC), or of one classic foliar fertilizer combined with one algae based biostimulator (Seamaxx SL) under different base fertilization conditions in irrigated hybrid seed maize production. The research has been conducted for 3 years in irrigated field plots in the pedo-climatic conditions of NE Romania. The obtained results brought to attention the positive effects of foliar fertilizers in hybrid seed production: increased plant height, better foliage development, better tassel development in terms of size and longer pollen shedding time, and finally a yield enhancement.