Effect of plant density and foliar spray of zinc on vegetative growth of corn (Zea mays L.)

To determine the effect of plant density and foliar spraying of zinc on vegetative growth of corn (Zea mays L.) variety (Research 106), a field experiment was carried out in a field at Diyala Governorate in the autumn season 2019. The experiment was designed according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and nine treatments which were: three plant densities (88888, 44444 and 26666 plants/ha) and three concentrations of zinc (0, 25 and 50) mg/l as zinc sulfate 35% Zn. The results showed the superiority of high plant density in plant height and number of leaves, which reached to 204.25 cm and 16.01 leaves, respectively, while the plant density of 444444 plants/ha superior in leaf area and total chlorophyll content (54.21 dcm² and 49.56 SPAD), respectively. Also results showed that spraying zinc at (50 mg/l) increased significantly the stem diameter, leaf area and chlorophyll content (31.46 mm, 51.22 dcm² and 47.38 SPAD), respectively, while spraying zinc at 25 mg/l increased significantly plant height and number of leaves. The results also showed that the interaction between plant density and Zn spraying had a significant effect, especially the treatment of Zn 50 mg/l with D2 in most study parameters compared to other interaction treatments.