Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions

Gökdeniz Erözgün; Sabri Akın

doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1

Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions

Abstract

Water scarcity is a major constraint limiting maize productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluated the effects of exogenous proline application on yield, yield components, and water productivity of second-crop maize under different irrigation levels. The field experiment was conducted at Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, using a split-plot design in randomized complete blocks with three replications. Irrigation levels consisted of 100% (IW1), 75% (IW2), and 50% (IW3) of full irrigation, while proline (Pro) treatments included a control and 1 mM exogenous proline. Increasing water deficit reduced plant height, cob length, cob diameter, thousand-grain weight, hectoliter weight, and grain yield. However, proline application improved most traits, particularly under deficit irrigation. Compared with the control, proline increased grain yield by 3.53%, 41.05%, and 43.98% under IW1, IW2, and IW3, respectively. Seasonal irrigation water ranged from 392 to 723 mm, while seasonal crop evapotranspiration varied between 411 and 731 mm. The highest irrigation water productivity (1.77 kg m⁻³) and water productivity (1.70 kg m⁻³) were obtained from the Pro-IW2 treatment. Principal component analysis showed a clear separation of treatments according to irrigation level and proline application. As a result, 1 mM exogenous proline application may be a promising approach for improving yield performance and water productivity of second-crop maize under semi-arid conditions.

Keywords

Deficit Irrigation, Exogenous Proline, Maize (Zea mays L.), Yield Components, Water Stress

Supporting Institution

The authors would like to thank the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) for supporting this study under the 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program (Project No. 1919B012423849).

Project Number

1919B012423849

Ethical Statement

This study did not require ethics committee approval because it was conducted as a field experiment on maize plants.

Thanks

The authors also gratefully acknowledge Harran University for providing the experimental field and field support during the implementation of the study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Agricultural Water Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Gökdeniz Erözgün
0009-0005-8625-4494
Türkiye

Sabri Akın ^*
0000-0002-9196-3157
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

August 23, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

June 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA66NC49ER

APA

Erözgün, G., & Akın, S. (2026). Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, Advanced Online Publication, 529-477. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1

AMA

1.Erözgün G, Akın S. Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):529-477. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1

Chicago

Erözgün, Gökdeniz, and Sabri Akın. 2026. “Effect of Exogenous Proline Application on Yield and Yield Components of Second-Crop Maize under Water Deficit Conditions”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication: 529-477. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1.

EndNote

Erözgün G, Akın S (August 1, 2026) Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences Advanced Online Publication 529–477.

IEEE

[1]G. Erözgün and S. Akın, “Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions”, int. j. agric. environ. food sci., no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 529–477, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1.

ISNAD

Erözgün, Gökdeniz - Akın, Sabri. “Effect of Exogenous Proline Application on Yield and Yield Components of Second-Crop Maize under Water Deficit Conditions”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences. Advanced Online Publication (August 1, 2026): 529-477. https://doi.org/10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1.

JAMA

1.Erözgün G, Akın S. Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026;:529–477.

MLA

Erözgün, Gökdeniz, and Sabri Akın. “Effect of Exogenous Proline Application on Yield and Yield Components of Second-Crop Maize under Water Deficit Conditions”. International Journal of Agriculture Environment and Food Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, pp. 529-77, doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1.

Vancouver

1.Gökdeniz Erözgün, Sabri Akın. Effect of exogenous proline application on yield and yield components of second-crop maize under water deficit conditions. int. j. agric. environ. food sci. 2026 Aug. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):529-477. doi:10.31015/jaefs.2026.3.1

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