Transplanting and Seed Hydropriming Affects Yield, Water Use Efficiency, and Grain Quality of Maize Cultivars under Delayed Planting

To evaluate the effect of planting method (PM), date (PD), and cultivar (CV) on yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), grain quality maize, a two-year field study was conducted during 2017 2018 growing seasons. The experiment arranged as split-plot factorial with three PD, including PD1 (July 1st), PD2 11th), PD3 23rd) main plots. Three PM direct seeding (DS), seed hydropriming (HP), transplanting (TP) were factorially combined two maize cultivars (SC704 SC260), sub-plots. highest herbage yield (76685 7369 kg ha-1, respectively), maximum IWUE for production (13.1 1.21 kg.m-3, respectively) found in TP. CV SC704 obtained higher (GY) compared SC260, but delayed GY affected more negatively both years. Delay enhanced IWUEH, however, IWUEG decreased when delayed. from TP each PD. SC260 delay resulted better lowest contents crude protein, starch, ash, fiber, fat hydro-primed transplanted respectively. In conclusion, had superiority over DS HP. Also, HP to be optimal terms enhancing qualitative parameters planting. Furthermore, selecting high-yielding hybrid is suggested.