Response of Maize Grown Under Water Deficit Conditions to Zeolite as a Soil Conditioner and Foliar Application of Abscisic Acid

The combination of zeolite as a soil conditioner and abscisic acid (ABA) as a foliar application represents a modern approach to mitigating the adverse effects of water deficit conditions on maize growth and performance. So, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different irrigation regimes (I1: 5500 m3 ha-1, I2: 4400 m3 ha-1, I3: 3300 m3 ha-1 as the main factor), zeolite rates (Z1: 0 ton ha-1, Z2: 5 ton ha-1, Z3: 10 ton ha-1 as sub-main factor), and ABA foliar treatments (A1: 0 mmol, A2: 5 mmol, A3: 10 mmol as sub-sub factor) on maize yield and quality. Measurements taken 70 days after sowing included plant height, fresh and dry weights, leaf area, mineral constituents (N, P, K), chlorophyll content, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX). Harvest metrics comprised cob weight, cob length, number of seeds per cob, weight of 100 grains, grain and biological yields, harvest index, and quality parameters such as carbohydrates, protein, oil content, anthocyanins, and nutrient concentrations. Results indicated that the highest irrigation level (I1) consistently produced the best results across all parameters. The application of zeolite at the highest rate (Z3) significantly enhanced yield and quality metrics, while ABA at 10 mmol (A3) provided the most substantial benefits. Moreover, interactions between treatments revealed a synergistic effect, with the combination of optimal irrigation, zeolite, and ABA leading to superior performance. On the other hand, the application of zeolite and ABA under water-deficit conditions (I2 and I3) markedly improved maize growth and yield. Finally, it is recommended that farmers incorporate zeolite into their soil management practices and utilize ABA foliar applications to optimize crop performance during drought. Future research should further investigate the synergistic effects of these treatments on various crops, contributing to sustainable agriculture in arid regions and enhancing food security through resource-efficient farming practices.