Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of paclobutrazol on ear characteristics and grain yield by regulating root growth and root-bleeding sap of maize crop. Seed-soaking at rate of 0 (CK1), 200 (S1), 300 (S2), and 400 (S3) mg L−1, and seed-dressing at rate of 0 (CK2), 1.5 (D1), 2.5 (D2), and 3.5 (D3) g kg−1 were used. Our results showed that paclobutrazol improved the ear characteristics and grain yield, and were consistently higher than control during 2015–2016. The average grain yield of S1, S2 and S3 were 18.9%, 61.3%, and 45.9% higher, while for D1, D2 and D3 were 20.2%, 33.3%, and 45.2%, compared to CK, respectively. Moreover, paclobutrazol-treated maize had improved root-length density (RLD), root-surface area density (RSD) and root-weight density (RWD) at most of the soil profiles (0–70 cm for seed-soaking, 0–60 cm for seed-dressing) and was attributed to enhancing the grain yield. In addition, root-activity, root-bleeding sap, root dry weight, diameter and root/shoot ratio increased by paclobutrazol, with highest values achieved in S2 and D3 treatments, across the whole growth stages in 2015–2016. Our results suggested that paclobutrazol could efficiently be used to enhance root-physiological and morphological characteristics, resulting in higher grain yield.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important staple crops worldwide with multiple uses which include food, fodder, industrial material, and bioenergy
Roots are the prime organ of plants in terrestrial ecosystems, and knowledge on root morphology is essential for optimizing maize production especially in the semiarid areas, which determines the uptake and utilization of
Root distribution and extension could be expressed as root length density (RLD), root surface area density (RSD) or root weight density (RWD)[11,13]
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important staple crops worldwide with multiple uses which include food, fodder, industrial material, and bioenergy. The lack of in-depth understanding of effects of paclobutrazol on morphological and physiological characteristics of roots in field crops under water deficit condition limits their application in crop plants. The literature regarding the potential effects of paclobutrazol on root growth characteristics including, root activity, root diameter, RLD, RWD, RSD, and rate of root bleeding sap flow is limited, and the relationships of root growth and grain yield under water deficit condition have not been investigated in details. The present trial was conducted to study the possible effects of seed-soaking and seed-dressing with different concentrations of paclobutrazol on the root morphological and physiological characteristics and investigate the relationship between improvement in root growth and increase in final grain yield of maize under a semi-arid water deficit condition[4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
