The effect of nano-zinc oxide applications (nano-ZnO) on drought tolerance in sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt.)

In this study, the effects of different doses of nano-çinko oksit (NZnOD) applications (NZnOD1: 0, NZnOD2: 50, NZnOD3: 100 ve NZnOD4: 150 ppm) on drought tolerance (K1: 100% irrigation/SK/control, K2: 75% irrigation/SK, K3: 50% irrigation/SK and K4: 25% irrigation/SK) in sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt.) were investigated. The research was carried out under greenhouse conditions in 11 L capacity plastic pots, according to a randomized split plot design with three replications, with different drought levels forming the main plots and different Se doses forming the subplots. As a result of the research, it was determined that drought stress caused negative effects ranging from 1% to 40% on all of the examined traits. In addition, in NZnOD applications with drought stress, compared to control plants; 7-21% improvement in plant height, 9-33% in plant fresh weight, 18-33% in plant dry weight, 1-15% in stem thickness, 3-22% in leaf length, 6-40% in leaf width, 2-5% in leaf number and 3-31% in YOSI value were achieved. As a result, it was determined that the applied NZnOD positively affected the negativities caused by drought stress at varying rates and NZnOD3 and NZnOD4 doses gave better results compared to other applications