Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to sodium chloride concentrations at early growth stages - IJAAR

• Y. Abdellatif Idris*, Siddig A.M. Ali

• Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zalingei, Sudan

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of NaCl concentrations on seed germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Laboratory and pot experiments were conducted in 2014 using maize seeds obtained from Ministry of Agriculture Central Darfur State, Sudan. Ten seeds were germinated in Petri dishes containing filter paper of 9cm diameter, whereas in the pot experiment, five healthy seeds were allowed to germinate in plastic pots containing loamy soil.

Treatments comprised of control (distilled water), 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2% of sodium chloride (Na Cl). Treatments were arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replications. Data recorded for the both experiments were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Least Significant Differences (LSD) method was used to test differences between treatments means at 5% and 1% probability levels. Results of the laboratory experiment showed that the number of germinated seeds was significantly affected by salinity level, especially by the higher salt concentration. Final germination percentage and seedling vigor index decreased with increasing salinity level. The highest seed germination percentage (97.5%) and seedling vigor index (2.49) were found with the control (0% NaCl) and the lower seed germination percentage (22.5) and seedling vigor index (0.05) were found with 2% concentration. Results indicated that the plumule length decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01) as concentration of NaCl increased. The radical length followed the same trend of the plumule length, it was decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.01) as NaCl increased. Results of statistical analysis of pot experiments revealed that salinity made highly significant effects (p ≤ 0.01) for the investigated traits. It was observed that the highest seed germination percentage (95%), seedling vigor index (23.3), plumule length (24.7 cm), radical length (26.2 cm) plumule fresh and dry weights ( 1.95 & 0.24 g/plant ) and radical fresh and dry weights ( 1.66 &0.203 g/plant ) were observed in 0%NaCl (control). No seeds germinated in the 1% and above NaCl treatments.

Full Article Available at: Volume 6, Number 4, April 2015 – IJAAR
Published Journals: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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The effect of plant date and density on the growth index of maize variety (ksc704) in tropical region of Kermanshah Province - IJAAR

• Siamak Eliaspour1, Fatemeh Shirzadi2*, Farshad Zandian3, Arezo Gholami

1. Council of Agriculture and Natural Resources Province of Kermanshah Department of Agriculture, Borojerd branch, Islamic Azad University, Borojerd, Iran
2. Young Researchers and Elite Club, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran
3. Department of Agronomy, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
4. Watershed Science and Engineering, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch of Tehran, Iran

In this test, the effect of four plant date, as main factor (23 Jun,3 July,13 July,24 July) and three plant density as sub-factor (67, 77, 87 thousands plant per hectare) investigated on commercial variety KSC 704 and with 12
attendances by designing the split plot in the tropical region of Kermanshah Province (Sare-e-pooleZahab).

In this study, characters that investigated were: leaf area index, total dry weight, harvest index and grain yield. The results showed that different plant date and plant density had significant influences on weight and yield components of corn yield and corn gravest index.

The maximum total dry weight was obtained during flowering. At this time, the plant had greatest leaf area, and then declined until physiological maturity. The relative growth rate in all treatments was high in the first of growth season, and then declined by the increasing of plant age.

The most suitable of plant density for KSC 704 was about 77000 plants per hectare and date of 3 July that noncompetition between plants, sufficient light and nutrient availability, and finally obtained maximum grain yield.

Most of the traits including biomass and grain yield was 30620 and 6986 kg/ha respectively, was awarded treatment of plant date (3 July) and plant density, 77 thousands plants per hectare.
Full Article Available at: Volume 5, Number 6, December 2014 – IJAAR
JOURNAL NAME: International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

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