Effect of Foliar Application of Boron and Silicon on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

This field experiment was carried out during Zaid season 2022 at experimental field of Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology& Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH7.3), low in organic carbon (0.48%), available nitrogen (230 kg/ha), available phosphorus (13.60 kg/ha) and available potassium (215.4 kg/ha).. Ten treatments, each replicated three times, were used in the one-year experiment, which was set up using a randomised block design. The results of the study showed that the treatment B3 (100 ppm) + Si3 (700 ppm) significantly increased plant height (193.66 cm), the number of leaves per plant (12.83), the dry weight of the plant (93.61 g/plant), and yield attributes such as the number of cobs per plant (3.4), the length of the cob (20.94 cm), the number of rows per cob (15.6), and the number of grains per cob (534.2). The yield parameters of Seed index (30.7), Grain yield (6.98 t/ha), and Straw yield (14.73 t/ha) were considerably greater with the same treatment B3 (100 ppm) + Si3 (700 ppm).

Boron Impact on Maize Growth and Yield: A Review

“…Foliar application of B has a positive effect on the growth and yield of maize. Treatment with B at 4 kg/ha and Panchagavya at 4% produced maximum plant height, plant dry weight, number of cobs per plant, cob yield with and without husk, and green fodder yield [34]. Another study found that foliar application of B at 0.3% resulted in significantly higher growth parameters such as plant height, plant dry weight, and crop growth rate, as well as yield attributes like number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, and grain yield [37].…”

“…It was found that the application of 15 kg of zinc with 1.5% B as a foliar spray resulted in increased plant height, number of leaves per plant, plant dry weight, number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, and grain yield [10]. Another study showed that the treatment of 100 ppm B combined with 700 ppm silicon significantly increased plant height, number of leaves per plant, plant dry weight, and yield attributes in maize [34,35]. Finally, a study on sandy loam soils with different levels of B found that the non-specifically adsorbed B fraction was higher after the application of B, and the plant available form of boron included the non-specifically adsorbed fraction, which coincided with the high demand for B by maize during the vegetative phase [36].…”

“…Another study found that foliar application of B had a positive but statistically insignificant effect on plant characteristics, including leaf area, during early leaf stages [40]. Addition-ally, a field experiment showed that the treatment with B3 (100 ppm) + Si3 (700 ppm) significantly increased plant height and the dry weight of the plant, which indirectly indicates an increase in leaf area [34]. Another study showed that leaf area per plant increased by 10.49% and 10.87% in the presence of B application compared to the control.…”

“…The effect of B on the plant height of maize varied across the different studies. Kumar et al [34] found that treatment B3 (100 ppm) + Si3 (700 ppm) significantly increased plant height. Another study also reported that application of B (4 kg/ha) and Panchagavya (2 sprays of 4%) produced maximum plant height [37].…”