Effect of Exogenous Application of Some Growth Regulators on Growth and Yield of Maize(Zea mays L.) Cultivars

Naila Sarwar,Hafiz Muhammed Wariss,Misbah Arshad,Asma Yaqoob,Musarat Musarat

doi:10.32350/sir.52.03

Naila Sarwar, Hafiz Muhammed Wariss + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.32350/sir.52.03

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Abstract

Maize being subtropical crop is sensitive to low temperature at early growth stages. Exogenous application of humic acid (HA), ascorbic acid (AsA), and thiourea (TU) can improve the growth of maize. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different plant growth regulators to as a foliar spray to two (pioneer 1543 and monsanto 8441) maize cultivars. Main objective of this research is exogenous application of plant growth regulators that significantly increase the growth parameters, plant biomass and yield of plant. A total of 3 treatments TO = control, T1 = 20ml/L HA, AsA and TU, T2 = 30ml/L HA, AsA and TU and T3 = 50ml/L HA, AsA and TU were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All the treatments improved the yield, growth and biomass of maize. Although, various treatments, thiourea showed the maximum leaf length, root length and cobe length of the plant. Results declared that foliar spray of plants growth regulators increased the growth parameters viz; plant height, Number of leaves per plant, Leaf area, Number of nodes and Fresh weight of plant.

Highlights

Maize is considered the third main cereal crop in Pakistan
Exogenous treatments of humic acid, ascorbic acid, and thiourea were applied to maize plants to determine their effect. The plants of both the cultivars (Pioneer 1543 and Monsanto 8441) grown in sandy loam soil under treatments showed a significant increase in plant height, leaf area, root length, and leaf number per plant as compared to the plants grown in a loamy soil
A significant increase in plant height was observed in the maize cultivar P1543 as compared to M8441 when a mixture of humic acid, ascorbic acid and thiourea was applied in (T2 and T3) (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Maize (corn) is considered the third main cereal crop in Pakistan It is considered one of the most important cereal grains in the world because it can acclimate itself to a broad range of environmental conditions [1]. Maize is categorized as a warm-season crop because it is tolerant to a wide range of temperatures and climates, ranging from subtropical to temperate. As a result, this crop can only be grown in areas where the average night temperature is consistently at least 15 degrees Celsius [9]

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