EFFECT OF MINERAL FERTILIZATION AND MICRONUTRIENTS ON DRY MATTER CONTENT IN CORN HYBRIDS OF DIFFERENT MATURITY GROUPS

Dry matter (DM) content is a critical physiological indicator in corn cultivation, reflecting the plant's efficiency in converting solar energy and nutrients into biomass. It determines the nutritional value of the crop, the optimal timing for harvest, and the storage stability of the grain. While genetic factors primarily dictate the potential for dry matter accumulation, environmental conditions and mineral nutrition specifically the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and essential micronutrients play a decisive role in how this matter is distributed among the grain, leaves, and stalks.This study evaluates the patterns of dry matter accumulation and distribution in corn (Zea mays L.) as influenced by hybrid genotype, mineral fertilizer dosage, and microfertilizer application. Field experiments conducted in 2022 involved four hybrids representing different maturity groups: mid-early (Amaros, Bogatyr) and mid-season (KWS 381, Carifols). The research focused on the effects of varying NPK levels N90Р60К60, N120Р90К90) and specialized micronutrient treatments, including YaraVita and YaraTera products, using the thermostatic-weight method for DM determination.The results indicate that DM content is highly differentiated by plant part, with the highest concentrations found in the grain (58.6–63.4%) and the lowest in the stalks (22.1–25.3%). Mineral fertilization was found to have a slight depressive effect on DM percentage, with reductions of 0.3–1.3% observed as NPK doses increased compared to the control. While microfertilizers did not significantly alter DM content, a positive trend was noted with the combination of YaraTera Tenso Cocktail and YaraVita Kombiphos.Among the studied genotypes, the Bogatyr hybrid exhibited the highest average DM content at 39.2%. Despite individual variations, no significant differences were observed between the mid-early and mid-season groups regarding total plant dry matter. Correlation analysis revealed a high degree of synchronization in DM accumulation across the plant, with a particularly strong correlation between total plant dry matter and grain content (r=0.94). These findings suggest that while genotype remains a primary factor in DM distribution, high-intensity mineral fertilization may slightly shift the moisture-to-dry matter ratio in corn tissues.