Dry Matter Partitioning and Phenological Traits of Maize as Influenced by Diverse Levels of Humic Acid

Abstract

Despite the fact that maize productivity is relatively better than other major cereal crops, its current productivity is still far below its potential productivity. An experiment was conducted to asses the influence the effect of humic acid levels on phenology and dry matter partitioning of maize (Zea mays L) at New Developmental Research Farm of The University Agricultural Peshawar, during summer 2016. The experiment was condected in randamized complete block design RCBD having three replications. The experiment was consisted of five humic acid levels ( 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 kg ha^-1). The response of humic acid levels was significant to different phenological traits like days to tasseling, silking and days to maturity. Maximum and minimum days were taken by days to tasseling ( Control = 65 and 15 kg ha^-1 = 54), silking (Control = 70 and 15 kg ha^-1, 58), maturity (25 kg ha^-1 107 and 15 kg ha^-1, 98). Humic acid significantly effect dry matter partitioning of maize like number of grains cob^-1 (574) were taken from the plots which treated with 15 kg ha^-1. Higher thousand grain weight (348.5 gm) was taken from the plot which treated with 15 kg ha^-1, while minimum (207.5 gm) was taken from the control treatment. Higher biological yield (17338 kg ha^-1) was taken from the plot which receive 15 kg ha^-1 of humic acid, while minimum yield (11375 kg ha^-1) was taken from control treatment. The highest net return of grain yield (5054 kg ha^-1) was taken from the plot which treated with 15 kg ha^-1, while minimum grain yield ( 3050 kg ha^-1) was taken from the plot which treated with 5 kg ha^-1 of humic acid. It is concluded that overall 15 kg ha^-1 of humic acid showed best performance.