Growth, Physiological, Biochemical and Yield Responses of Three Maize Varieties to Water Stress and Photoperiod in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Doma Bulus Abdullahi, Aisha Wada Abubakar and Ibrahim Isa Dangora

This study assessed the effects of watering regime and shading, individually and in combination, on the growth, physiological, biochemical and yield responses of three maize varieties SAMMAZ 51, SAMMAZ 27 and the local landrace Yar-tsiri in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A 3 × 3 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications, combining three watering regimes (daily, every 3 days, every 6 days) with three shading levels (0%, 50%, 90%). Data were analysed using ANOVA and means separated using LSD at p < 0.05. Variety, watering regime and shading, together with their interactions, significantly affected nearly all parameters measured. At 10 weeks after sowing, extending the watering interval from daily to every 6 days reduced plant height from 155.1 to 82.3 cm and grain yield from 22.8 to 10.9 g per stand, while proline, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content all increased, indicating stronger osmotic and antioxidant responses alongside greater membrane damage. Shading had a smaller but still significant effect. SAMMAZ 51 consistently outperformed the other two varieties across all growth, physiological and yield parameters, despite Yar-tsiri mounting the largest biochemical stress response. Water availability was the principal constraint on maize performance in this environment, and SAMMAZ 51 is recommended for cultivation in similarly drought-prone, semi-arid areas of northern Nigeria.

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