The performance of spring maize hybrids are severely affected by high temperature at reproductive phase causing marked reduction in yield. Exogenous application of natural and synthetic plant hormones may induce tolerance against temperature constraints. Therefore, a field study was conducted to evaluate the performance of two maize hybrids i.e. PS525 (heat tolerant) and P1543 (heat sensitive) with exogenous application of growth promoting substances (3% moringa leaf extract (MLE), 75 mg L-1 kinetin, 85 mg L-1, silver nitrate and 0.1 mg L-1 triacontanol). Plants without spray (control) and water spray were taken for comparison. Different agronomic, physiological and quality traits were measured using standard procedure. Both hybrids showed improved performance in response to foliar spray of growth promoting substances. But maximum results were observed in hybrid PS525 with foliar application of 0.1 mg L-1 triacontanol and followed by 3% MLE. Enhancement in maize growth and yield through foliar spray of growth promoting substances was attributed more likely due to improved chlorophyll and relative water contents, LAI and decreased cell membrane permeability.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.