Changes dynamics of dry matter content and yield in corn plants under the application of micronutrients and growth regulators

Corn productivity is determined by the accumulation, distribution, and transportation of dry matter throughout the growing season, which is particularly important for silage production. The article shows the results of microfertilizers and plant growth regulators using to replace the yield of dry corn hybrids. The research was conducted in 2023–2024 at the «Chaika-2» farm in Brovary district, Kyiv region, using the corn hybrids «Gandalf» (FAO 250) and «Intelligence» (FAO 380). Micronutrients and plant growth regulators were applied according to the experimental scheme. The highest dry matter content at the BBCH 75-77, BBCH 81-83, and BBCH-85 growth stages was recorded in the medium-late Intelligence hybrid at 35.8 %, 38.4 %, and 40.6 % respectively, while in the medium-early «Gandalf» hybrid these values were 34.1 %, 36.7 %, and 39.0 % respectively. At the BBCH 85 stage (kernel wax maturity), the dry matter content in corn plants reached its maximum, exceeding that at the milk stage (BBCH 75-77) by an average of 4.9 % and at the milk-wax stage (BBCH 81-83) by 2.3 %. During this period, the dry matter content in corn grain for hybrids «Gandalf» and «Intelligence» was 60.2–60.5 % and 62.5–63.2 % respectively. The content in leaves, husks, and cobs ranged from 36.7–37.1 % to 38.4–38.7 %, while in stalks, it was the lowest at 26.6–26.9 % and 27.6– 27.9 %, respectively. The study did not reveal a significant effect of micronutrients and plant growth regulators on the dry matter content in individual plant organs or whole corn plants. However, there was a tendency towards an increase in this indicator with the application of «Radix» (1 L/ha) + «Biohumate» (1 L/ha) + «Photosynthesis» (1 L/ha) at the 3–5 leaf stage and «Energy» (1 L/ha) + «Linamin» (1 L/ha) +» Zinc» (1 L/ha) at the 6–8 leaf stage. The highest yield of dry matter in corn hybrids «Gandalf» and «Intelligence» (16.0 and 17.7 t/ha) was obtained on the third («Radix» (1 l/ha)) + «Biohumate» (1 l/ha) + «Photosynthesis» (1 l/ha) in the phase of 3–5 leaves of corn; «Energy» (1 l/ha) + «Linamin» (1 l/ha) + «Zinc» (1 l/ha) in the phase of 6–8 leaves of maize) and the fourth («Radix» (1 l/ha)) + «Linamin» (1 l/ha) + «TurboNitrogen» (1 l/ha) + «Biohumate» (0.5 l/ha) in the phase of 3–5 leaves of maize; «Energy» (1 l/ha) + «Photosynthesis» (1 l/ha) + Zinc (1 l/ha) + «Biohumate» (0.5 l/ha) in the 6–8 leaf stage) experimental variants.