THE HEIGHT OF CORN HYBRID PLANTS DEPENDING ON THE APPLICATION OF MACRO- AND MICROFERTILIZERS

The results of studies on the influence of hybrid maturity group, application of macro- and micronutrients, and weather conditions of the growing seasons on the formation of corn plant height at different stages of organogenesis are presented. It was established that the intensity of plant height growth significantly depended on the biological characteristics of the hybrids, the nutrient supply level, and hydrothermal conditions during the vegetation period. The most intensive vertical growth occurred up to the ear flowering stage, after which the growth rate gradually slowed, while the maximum plant height was reached at the wax ripeness stage of grain. A positive effect of macronutrient application on plant height formation was proven, providing an increase of 3.4–9.6% depending on the developmental stage, while micronutrient fertilization contributed an additional increase of 1.1–2.6% compared with unfertilized variants. The greatest plant height was formed under the application of N120Р90К90, whereas the minimum values were recorded in the control treatments without fertilization. Medium-maturing hybrids demonstrated a higher growth potential than medium-early ones, with the hybrid Carifols showing the highest plant height values across all observation stages. A significant influence of weather conditions during the study years on corn biometric traits was demonstrated: in the less favorable climatic year 2020, plant height was the lowest, while in 2021–2022, under improved moisture conditions, it increased by 12.4–24.5%. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of integrated application of macro- and micronutrients in corn cultivation technologies aimed at optimizing growth processes, realizing the genetic potential of hybrids, and increasing crop adaptability to changing agroclimatic conditions.