Evaluation of superabsorbent effect on some of the yield components of corn under drought stress conditions in the Khuzestan province

The aim of this study was the impact evaluation of superabsorbent on some of the yield components of corn (SC704) under drought stress conditions. The experimental design was according to split plot method in a randomized complete block design that was done with 12 treatments and three replications in Hamidiyeh region, Khuzestan, Iran. In this study, three different depths of irrigation were considered as the main treatment including I1, I2, I3 as 100, 75 and 50 percent of water requirement of plant, respectively and different levels of superabsorbent were used as secondary treatment including S0, S1, S2 and S3, equal to 0 (control), 15, 30 and 45 gr m-2, respectively. According to the results, the independent effect of irrigation treatments at 1% level was significant on the number of grains per row and at 5% level was significant on ear length of corn. But, this effect at 5% level was not significant on the number of grain rows and grain protein percentage of corn. The independent effect of superabsorbent treatments at 1% level was significant on the number of grains per row. But, this effect at 5% level was not significant on the number of grain rows, ear length and grain protein percentage of corn. It was concluded that using superabsorbent with applying the less water, achieving the more yield components.