Efecto de la fitohormona esteroidal cidef-4 en el rendimiento y calidad de semilla

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the steroidal compound cidef-4 on guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.) cv. Tanzania seed yield and quality. The experiment was carried out in the field under rainfed conditions during 2000 in Tejupilco, State of Mexico, Mexico. Two treatments were evaluated, i) before seed head emergence and ii) at the beginning of anthesis at four product concentrations (0, 2, 4 and 6 mg kg-1 active ingredient of cidef-4), distributed in a randomized complete block design, and arranged in split plots with three replicates. Variables evaluated were: pure germinable seed harvested yield (PGSHY), number of panicles per square meter, number of seeds produced and harvested per panicle, 1000-seed weight, and seed purity and germination. PGSHY varied between treatments (P<0.05) and the greatest yield (128 kg ha-1) was obtained when cidef-4 was applied at the beginning of anthesis. All concentrations of cidef-4 increased PGSHY, however, the greatest seed yield (132 kg ha-1) was obtained with the highest cidef-4 concentration (6 mg kg-1). Number of panicles showed an increase with the application of cidef-4 compared to the control (P<0.05). 1000-seed weight, purity and germination of the harvested seed were not significantly affected by any of the treatments applied. It can be concluded that the yield of guinea grass seed can be increased through application of 6 mg kg-1 active ingredient of cidef-4 at the beginning of anthesis.