4.3.3. Agronomic Practices

Maize plants received the following amounts of irrigation water (fresh or saline water) during the following different growth stages: sowing (1350), tillering (2150), elongation (1070), anthesis (1350), and filling (780) in m³ per hectare as recommended by Gharib et al. [64]. Same amounts were given during both growing seasons. All other agronomic practices were done as recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt as follows: phosphorus in the form of calcium superphosphate (15.5% P₂O₅), and potassium in the form of potassium sulfate (48% K₂O) were broadcasted and incorporated during soil tillage at the rates of 360 kg ha⁻¹ and 120 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer was added in the form of ammonium nitrate (33.5% N) at 288 kg ha⁻¹ in two equal doses before the first and the second irrigations from seed sowing.