THE STRUCTURE OF THE YIELD OF CORN HYBRIDS DEPENDING ON THE APPLICATION OF MACRO- AND MICROFERTILIZERS IN THE WAXY RIPENESS PHASE OF THE GRAIN

Corn production is a cornerstone of global food security and bioenergy, necessitating the continuous refinement of cultivation technologies to meet growing demands. A critical aspect of modern agronomy is understanding how intensive nutrient management influences crop development during the later stages of the reproductive cycle. This study, conducted during the 2023 growing season, investigates the impact of varying levels of mineral nutrition and specific microfertilizer regimens on the biometric parameters of corn hybrids during the waxy ripeness phase. The research focused on four hybrids representing different maturity groups: Amaros (FAO 230), Bogatyr (FAO 290), KWS 381 (FAO 350), and Carifols (FAO 380). The experimental design evaluated three primary fertilization backgrounds: a control with no fertilizer, a moderate dose of N90Р60К60, and an intensive dose of N120Р90К90. Furthermore, the study assessed the efficacy of two distinct microfertilizer protocols involving seed treatment and foliar application at the 3-5 leaf stage, specifically comparing a zinc-based complex with a multi-nutrient cocktail. Methodologically, the assessment involved pre-harvest sampling to determine the specific weight contributions of leaves, stems, husks, and grain to the total plant mass. The results obtained in 2023 demonstrated a robust correlation between nutrient availability and the accumulation of dry matter in the waxy ripeness phase. It was observed that the highest dose of mineral fertilizers (N120Р90К90) significantly enhanced all structural components of the corn plant compared to the unfertilized control. For instance, in the mid-season hybrid KWS 381, the total plant weight rose from approximately 977 g in the control to over 1250 g in the most intensively fertilized variants. The inclusion of microfertilizers provided a supplementary boost to vegetative and generative growth. The treatment combination involving YaraTera Tenso Cocktail and YaraVita Kombiphos consistently yielded the superior results across all tested hybrids. In conclusion, the data confirms that optimizing the nutritional status of the crop through a combination of macronutrients and targeted foliar feeding is essential for maximizing biomass during the critical waxy ripeness stage. Late-maturing hybrids such as Carifols exhibited the greatest capacity for biomass production under high-input conditions, suggesting that their longer growing cycle allows for more efficient utilization of applied nutrients. These findings advocate for an integrated fertilization strategy as a viable pathway to unlock the full genetic potential of modern corn genotypes.