SALICYLIC ACID ENHANCES YIELD COMPONENTS AND GRAIN PRODUCTIVITY OF SPRING MAIZE VARIETIES UNDER THE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF PESHAWAR

Abstract

Spraying of salicylic acid (SA) on leaves can stimulate plant physiological activity, and probably influence yield formation in maize. A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar in the spring 2023 to assess the effects of SA levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg L^-1), maize varieties (CS-200 and Azam) and application stage (V8 and VT) on yield components and grain productivity. Three replications of an RCBD were used to arrange treatments. The 300 mg L^-1 SA treatment gave the highest rows ear^-1 (13.1), grains row^-1 (36.3), grains ear^-1 (483), 1000-grain weight (303.5 g), grain yield (4951 kg ha^-1), biological yield (14026 kg ha^-1), harvest index (35.4%) and shelling percentage (82.5%). CS-200 outperformed Azam for grain yield (5040 kg ha^-1), biological yield (14305 kg ha^-1), 1000-grain weight (345.6 g) and grains ear^-1 (488). V8 showed better application than VT for yield components and grain yield. The findings indicated 300 mg L^-1 of SA was more suitable for Peshawar conditions and enhancing maize productivity at V8. The salicylic acid (SA) treatment improved maize yield by 10% and biological yield by 5% compared to the untreated control.The salicylic acid (SA) treatment increased the yield of maize by 10% and biological yield by 5% compared to the untreated control.