The influence of macro- and microfertilizers on the formation of the leaf surface of corn hybrids

The results of studies on the dynamics of leaf surface area formation in medium-early and medium-maturing maize hybrids depending on the application of macro- and micronutrients are presented. It was established that intensive growth of the leaf area occurs up to the milk ripeness stage of grain, after which a gradual decrease is observed during the wax ripeness stage as a result of physiological leaf senescence. A positive effect of macronutrient fertilization at rates of N90Р60К60 and N120Р90К90 on increasing the leaf surface area was proven, providing an increase of 4.4–7.9% and 7.4–13.4%, respectively, compared with the control variants. The application of micronutrient fertilizers (YaraTera Tenso Cocktail + YaraVita Kombiphos, YaraVita Teprosyn NP+Zn + YaraVita Maize Boost) additionally increased this indicator by 4.7–8.9%, depending on the maturity group of the hybrids. The maximum leaf surface area values were recorded in the maize hybrids Carifols and KWS 381 under the combined application of macronutrients (N120Р90К90) and micronutrients, reaching up to 49.0 thousand m²/ha, whereas the lowest values were observed in the Amaros hybrid in variants without fertilizer application. A close correlation was established between leaf surface area and green biomass yield of maize hybrids, which remained stable throughout the growing season and decreased only at the wax ripeness stage due to gradual senescence of assimilatory organs. The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of integrated application of macro- and micronutrients in maize cultivation technologies and their feasibility as a tool for optimizing the photosynthetic potential of crops and increasing the biological productivity of maize under conditions of intensified modern agriculture.