Growth And Yield Performance Of Corn Under Different Light And Water Stress Conditions

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) productivity is highly influenced by environmental factors, particularly light intensity and water availability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different light and water stress conditions on the growth, physiological traits, and yield performance of corn. A controlled pot experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement of three light levels (100%, 50%, and 25% of full sunlight) and three water regimes (well-watered, moderate stress, and severe stress). Growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, leaf area index, and stem diameter, were recorded throughout the vegetative and reproductive stages. Physiological traits, such as chlorophyll content, relative water content, and stomatal conductance, were also measured. At maturity, yield components including ear length, kernel number per ear, 100-kernel weight, and total grain yield were evaluated. Results indicated that both water and light stress significantly reduced growth, physiological performance, and yield, with combined stress showing synergistic negative effects. Full sunlight and well-watered conditions produced the highest growth and yield, while severe shading and drought resulted in the lowest performance. The study highlights the importance of optimal light and water management for maximizing corn productivity and provides insights for developing stress-resilient crop management strategies.