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Abstract

Maize is a major cereal crop whose productivity is highly constrained by moisture stress and nutrient limitations. To mitigate these challenges, a field experiment was carried out during the spring seasons of 2019 and 2020 at the Agronomic Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to investigate the efficacy of bio-liquids (earthworm wash) in improving drought tolerance in maize. Bio-liquids were prepared from vermicomposts derived from alligator weed, alfalfa, and rice straw by allowing water to percolate through the composted materials and the leachates were collected for foliar application. These bio-liquids were applied at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing under two soil moisture regimes, i.e., 70% and 35% field capacity. The trial was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot configuration, replicated three times. Treatments consisted of different sources and combinations of bio-liquids, including an untreated control and a water-spray control in combination with the two field capacity levels. Foliar application of bio-liquids significantly improved maize growth, physiological performance and yield under both normal and drought stress conditions. Among the treatments, alligator weed-derived bio-liquid exhibited superior performance in enhancing morpho-physiological traits of hybrid maize. Under moisture stress conditions (35% field capacity), foliar application of alligator weed earthworm wash at 15% concentration resulted in the highest net assimilation rate (3.84 and 4.11 g m-2 day-1), cob length (19.33 and 19.70 cm), 1000-grain weight (314.40 and 316.70 g) and grain yield (6.26 and 6.44 t ha-1) during 2019 and 2020 respectively. These findings indicate that foliar application of vermicompost derived bio-liquids particularly from alligator weed represents a promising eco-friendly and sustainable strategy for improving drought resilience and productivity of maize offering a viable alternative to conventional nutrient management practices. Keywords: Drought stress, Earthworm wash, Vermicompost derived bio-liquids, Foliar application, Maize, Grain yield.

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