Influence of Foliar Fertilization with Boron and Zinc for Maize Grain Crop in the Hilly Area of South-Western Romania

For 2 years, in the hilly area of south-western Romania, a single-plant experiment was set up for maize, with 4 foliar fertilization variants: V1 = untreated control; V2 = Treatment 1 at BBCH 14-18 (maize with 4-6 leaves) with Lebosol products 1 l/ha Zinc700 + 1.5 l/ha Bor; V3 = Treatment 2 BBCH 24-28 (maize with 8-10 leaves) with the same products; V4 = Treatment 1 + Treatment 2. Before the first application (T1) leaf and soil samples were taken, and after the second application (T2) leaf samples were taken from the 4 variants for analysis. The foliar analysis before the first application showed normal values for nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, boron, iron, and molybdenum; low value for potassium; slightly low value for zinc and high value for calcium. After the application of the second treatment, in the leaves, the values of zinc content were much improved, boron remained constant but the molybdenum content decreased a lot. Although at the borderline, the nitrogen content in the leaf at T1 and T2 remained at the normal value, after application of T1 + T2 it decreased from 4.6% before application to 2.96%. ANOVA yield analysis showed that the yield increase of 840 kg/ha at T2 is highly significant compared to the untreated control and that at T1 + T2 of 370 kg/ha is distinctly significant compared to the same control. Although the maize yield was high compared to the control after application of T1, it was not statistically assured. Of the yield and quality elements studied, the most stable were: hectolitre mass, protein content and fat content. Large ranges of values were evident for the mass of 1000 kernels and starch content.