The Effect of Amino Acids and The Date of Planting on Some Growth Characteristics of The Three Varieties of Maize

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the Field Crops Research Station of the Agricultural Research Department - Abu Ghraib during the spring season for the years 2019 and 2020. With the aim of studying the effect of amino acids and planting dates on some growth characteristics, for three varieties of maize. A split-split plot was used according to a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with three replications. The experiment included three planting dates (March 15, March 25 and April 5) that represented the main plot, while amino acids (proline and arginine) and the control treatment (distilled water) occupied the subplot. Whereas, the three varieties (Rabi’, Baghdad 3, and Fajr 1) allocated to the sub-sub plot. The Rabi cultivar gave the fewest days to reach 75% male and female flowering (70.33 and 72.78 days) respectively. The Fajr 1 variety scored the highest average percentage of proline and arginine in leaves for the first season. Plants sprayed with proline at a concentration of 200 mg achieved the highest mean number of leaves, leaf area, chlorophyll content in leaves, and proline concentration in leaves for both seasons. When spraying arginine, its percentage increased in leaves. Planting dates affected most of the studied traits, planting plants on March 15 achieved a significant increase in all growth traits. The two and three way interactions had a significant effect on most growth traits, and the best interaction was for the Rabi variety when planted on March 15 th and sprayed with proline.