Gas Exchanges in Silage Maize Leaves Depending on fore crop and Maize Development Stage

In a sustainable farming system, crop rotation is an important factor limiting maize productivity. A field trial was carried out to investigate:(i) Whether cultivating silage maize in a short (2-year) crop rotation in succession after a grassland (grassland-maize), winter triticale (winter triticale-maize), or maize (maize-maize) will affect the course of the photosynthetic process; (ii) whether these processes will be determined by the stage of maize development; and (iii) whether there is a relationship between gas exchange parameters, foliage The research was carried out between 2017 and 2018 at the following stages (BBCH): stem elongation and flowering. Gas exchange parameters, foliage development characteristics, and maize yield were all evaluated. It was demonstrated that photosynthesis of maize grown after grassland was more efficient than photosynthesis of triticale and maize grown after grassland (higher stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and lower temperature). Growing maize after grassland resulted in more favourable foliage characteristics (leaf area, leaf area index, chlorophyll content) and translated into a higher yield volume than growing triticale and maize. The results confirmed grassland’s beneficial role as a forecrop for maize when compared to growing maize after winter triticale and after maize.

Author(s): Erica Melena*

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