Effects of water deficit stress on agrophysiological traits hybrids of maize

In order to study effects of water deficit stress on agrophysiological traitsof Maize cultivars, an experiment was conducted in the farm research station of Arak Islamic Azad University, Iran in 2009. The experimental design was split plot based on RCBD with three replications. The treats were considered as irrigation in three levels: 100% (control), 75% and %50 (water deficit stress) crop water requirement plant and maize hybrids consisted of KSC500, KSC524, KSC700, KSC704 and DSC370. Results showed that water deficit stress reduced relatively water content,cell membrane stability and grain yield. About hybrids, the highest grain yield obtained from early and medium maturity hybrids. Also the highest cell membrane stability and relatively water content belonged to medium maturity hybrids. Interactions effects of treatments showed that, in condition of moisture optimum(100% crop water requirement) and water deficit stress (75% and 50% crop water requirement plant), grain yield in KSC524 and 500 was high compared to other hybrids. The highest grain yield equal 8624.22 Kg/ha by treatment KSC524 with 100% crop water requirement plant and lowest grain yield equal 4072.32 obtained from treatment KSC700 with 50% crop water requirement.