Effects of Critical Irrigation Periods on Selected Yield Traits of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties under Green Belt Conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three irrigation regimes on the yield-related traits of two maize cultivars under the environmental conditions of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar and to identify the most sensitive growth stages to water stress. The experiment was conducted at the Crop Department Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, during the 2025 growing season using a split-plot design with three replications. The main factors were the cultivars (Libyan and Egyptian), and the sub-factors were irrigation regimes: full irrigation throughout the season, irrigation withheld during anthesis, and irrigation withheld during grain filling. Results indicated that irrigation regimes significantly affected most of the studied traits. Full irrigation produced the highest values for all traits, whereas withholding irrigation during anthesis and grain filling caused variable reductions, highlighting the high sensitivity of these stages to water stress. The Libyan cultivar outperformed the Egyptian cultivar in yield-related traits, particularly cob weight and grain weight, indicating higher tolerance to water deficit. The study emphasizes the importance of efficient irrigation management, particularly during critical growth stages, and suggests that the Libyan cultivar is suitable for areas with limited water resources to ensure stable and high maize productivity.