EFFECT OF MAGNETIC FIELDS AND IRRIGATION LEVELS ON MAIZE YIELD AND APPLIED WATER PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

Water scarcity and low irrigation efficiency remain major constraints to maize production. Magnetized water is a promising technology for addressing these challenges. This study was conducted in 2024 at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Kafrayhmoul, northwestern Syria, to evaluate the effects of magnetic field treatments and irrigation levels on maize yield and applied water productivity. A split-plot experimental design was used, in which four magnetic treatments (NMT, MT1, MT2, MT3) were assigned to the main plots based on magnetization devices differing in the number of magnetic fields. The subplots received three irrigation levels corresponding to 85% (I1), 100% (I2), and 115% (I3) of field capacity. Statistically significant differences were observed across treatments for most traits. MT3/I3 recorded the highest leaf area 10883.9 cm², grain number per main ear 529.11, the number of ears per plant 2.28, grain yield 11676.75 kg ha⁻¹, and biological yield 29249.06 kg ha⁻¹. In contrast, MT3/I2 resulted in the highest plant height 231.5 cm, the 1000-grain weight 280.99 g and applied water productivity 2.146 kg/m³. No significant differences were found between MT3/I3 and MT3/I2 in any measured trait. using devices with a greater number of magnetic fields in combination with moderate irrigation enhances maize yield while reducing the amount of water used, offering a sustainable solution for water-limited environments.