Influence of Foliage Applied Allelopathic Water Extracts on the Grain Yield, Quality and Economic Returns of Hybrid Maize

Abstract

To cite this paper: Kamran, M., Z.A. Cheema, M. Farooq and A.U. Hassan, 2016. Influence of foliage applied allelopathic water extracts on the grain yield, quality and economic returns of hybrid maize. AbstractAllelochemicals at low concentrations can promote the crop growth and productivity. In this study, allelopathic extracts of sorghum, maize, rice and moringa each at 3% were applied alone and in various combinations at 30 and 50 days after sowing (DAS) of maize crop. No spray and water spray were included as controls for comparison. Application of allelopathic extracts significantly improved plant height, number of grains and grain rows per cob, number of grains per row, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, protein, starch, oil and leaf chlorophyll contents of maize as compared to control during both the years of study. Maximum increase in grains per cob, grain rows per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain number and grain yield (35%) was noted by combined application of sorghum and moringa water extracts. Economic analysis revealed that combination of sorghum and moringa extracts was the most economical followed by combination of maize and moringa extracts and moringa extract alone. In conclusion, sorghum and moringa extract combination at 3% may be foliage applied for harvesting better maize yield of good quality with comparatively higher economic returns.

Exogenous application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) induces chilling tolerance in short-duration hybrid maize

“…Foliar application of MLE was also reported to maintain the water relations by elevating the antioxidant capacity of plants under water deficit conditions (Nawaz et al 2016). Improved performance of SWE after MLE in stimulating maize growth, yield, and physio-biochemical aspects in terms of PH, GY, LAI, TDM, CGR, RWC, gas exchange, and chlorophyll contents was possibly due to the presence of secondary metabolites together with phenolics such as IAA, tannic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic acid in leaf extracts of sorghum (Casimiro et al 2001;Kamran et al 2016;Sène et al 2001). Maximum CWP and WUE in maize plants treated with SWE was due to efficient root water and nutrient absorption, photosynthetic activity, and controlled stomatal conductance which were plausibly triggered by phenolic compounds in SWE Puupponen-Pimiä et al 2001).…”

“…Because all the treatments were applied as foliar spray, low concentrations were selected based on previous studies (Ahmad et al 2016;Amin et al 2013;Bakhtavar et al 2015;Kamran et al 2016;Kaya et al 2013). The sorghum plants were harvested at maturity, dried, chaffed with a fodder cutter into 2-cm pieces, and stored under shade.…”

“…Foliar application of natural PGRs, i.e., moringa leaf extract (MLE) and sorghum water extract (SWE), has also been shown to improve photosynthesis (Khan et al 2003), membrane integrity (Kaya et al 2010), growth and development (Bakhtavar et al 2015), and plant defense system against various abiotic stresses, including temperature stress in plants (Afzal et al 2012;Foidl et al 2001;Kamran et al 2016;Yasmeen et al 2012). MLE as a rich source of antioxidants and essential vitamins has extensively been reported to increase the life span of plant, leaf area duration, grain filling, fruit size, and grain yield up to 35% with improved oil and protein contents in cereals like maize and wheat under varying stress conditions (Bakhtavar et al 2015;Yasmeen et al 2013).…”

“…MLE as a rich source of antioxidants and essential vitamins has extensively been reported to increase the life span of plant, leaf area duration, grain filling, fruit size, and grain yield up to 35% with improved oil and protein contents in cereals like maize and wheat under varying stress conditions (Bakhtavar et al 2015;Yasmeen et al 2013). Application of SWE has also been reported to enhance growth and yield of different crops under stress conditions (Kamran et al 2016;Maqbool et al 2013;Mubeen et al 2012), and its exogenous applications at 3-5% concentration enhanced the growth and grain yield of maize up to 40% (Jahangeer 2011;Maqbool et al 2013). These allelopathic extracts lengthen the photosynthetic duration (Lim et al 2007) by acting as ROS scavenger (Rice-Evans et al 1996).…”

Resource use efficiency of cotton in improved vs conventional planting geometry with exogenous application of bio-stimulant and synthetic growth retardant

“…In addition to growth retardants, some promoters also reported to improve the growth and productivity (Balakumbahan and Rajamani, 2010). Growth promoters stimulate the development of root system, leaf area, fortifying the photosynthetic process, develop resistance and hence enhance the productivity (Kamran et al, 2016). Among numerous natural sources, moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extract (MLE) has been showed its potential as an organic plant growth promoter (Yasmeen et al, 2013) being rich in ascorbates, amino acids, potassium, calcium, iron and zeatin like growth promoting substances is recognized as superlative plant growth promoter (Yasmeen et al, 2016).…”