The growth of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids were monitored in irrigated and non-irrigated fields with different soil texture by applying leaf area index (LAI) measurements. The experiment was performed in 2016 and 2017 in viccinity of Murska Sobota (Prekmurje, NE Slovenia) in the area with frequent droughts which result from low and irregular precipitation. Research sites were established on the maize fields of a company Panvita d.d. (Rakičan, Slovenia) on dystric brown soils on non-calcalerous sandy gravel sediments of two different textures: fine textured soil (FTS) and coarse textured soil (CTS). Fields were either non-irrigated (NI) or irrigated (I) by a pivot (on the plot with FTS) and a hose reel (on the plot with CTS) system. Alltogether we had four treatments in the experimental design (NI-FTS, I-FTS, NI-CTS, I-CTS). Different maize hybrides were sown at the fileds in 2016 (P0216, P9241 PR31Y43 ), whereas one hybrid (P0216; Pioneer) was used for experiment in 2017. In the period from beginning of June to end of September, we measured the leaf area index (LAI), with a LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer (LiCor, Lincoln, USA). Throughout the season we made 7 measurements at irregular intervals following the protocol for measuring LAI of row crop with a homogeneous canopy. Measurements revealed typical seasonal LAI curves. LAI reached maximum seasonal values of 5.95. The lowest values were observed in non-irrigated coarse textured soil. This indicates that at these fields the growth of maize was supressed by water stress. In both seasons we detected similar LAI in I-FTS and NI-FTS.
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