ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF COMPLEX FOLIAR FERTILIZERS ON CORN (ZEA MAYS L.) PRODUCTIVITY

This study investigates the effects of foliar fertilization (FF) on the yield and quality of corn grains, utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to optimize foliar treatment applications. The PCA approach enabled the identification of the most effective FF formulation for enhancing grain production and quality. The experiments were conducted in 2022 and 2023 at the university's experimental field, evaluating seven treatment variants, each with distinct chemical compositions labelled from V1 to V7, along with a control group. FF applications were carried out during the 15-16 BBCH and 20-22 BBCH vegetative stages of corn, with application rates ranging from 2 to 6 L/ha, according to the product specifications. Foliar fertilization of corn can directly influence the nutritional composition and quality of grains, affecting key components such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fibers, and minerals. By applying nutrients directly to the leaves, this method can stimulate essential metabolic processes, leading to an improved nutritional profile of the grains. The FF treatments showed significant improvements in both the yield and quality of corn grains, as assessed through quality indicators such as moisture content, protein levels, lipids, carbohydrates, fibers, and minerals.