Effects of Nanofertilizer Applications at Different Growth Stages of Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) on Biochemical Stress Factors

Abstract

Background: Nanofertilizers are known to be more effective than other types of fertilizers. The present study aims to determine the biochemical stress parameters and yield values obtained when different nanofertilizer applications and doses were applied at different times in sweet corn. Methods: This study was carried out in Antalya, Turkey during the 2020-2021 corn production season. The effects of different nanofertilizer applications on the yield and quality of the Rain Hazar F1 corn variety were investigated. The present study employed 3 different fertilizer application times (3-leaf stage, 12-leaf stage and corn tasseling season), 4 different nanofertilizers (nano-zinc, nano-molybdenum, nano-boron and nano-iron) and 2 different fertilizer doses (125 ppm and 200 ppm). The study was set up using the split-plot design in randomized blocks with 3 replications. Result: The total phenolic content ranged between 271.90±1.51 and 118.80±12.47 mg GAE/g. The total antioxidant content ranged between 87.22±4.58 and 60.39±2.54%. The ascorbic acid peroxidase activity ranged between 4.54±1.46 and 0.17±0.01 EU/mg protein. The total chlorophyll content ranged between 7.43±1.96 and 1.97±0.09 mg/g. It was found in the present study that nanofertilizers can have a significant effect on the growth and development of corn plants.