Seed Germination and Morphological Behavior of Maize (NAC-6002, NAC-6004 and NAH- 2049) Seedlings under Abiotic Stress (Alachlor) Condition

Abstract

Article InformationHerbicides are the most flourishing weed control knowledge eternally developed. To appraise the possessions of herbicides on maize, a study was carried out to evaluate the effect of alachlor on different maize cultivars on germination and early growth parameters. The studies were carried out in hydroponic conditions supplemented with different concentrations (1.0, 2.5 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 ppm) of alachlor. All the three cultivars of maize were found to be significantly affected with increasing herbicide concentration. Percent germination, vigour index, tolerance index, fresh and dry weight, plumule and radicle length were found to be decreased as the herbicide concentration increased, however the dry weight increased slightly at higher concentration when compared to other concentrations. The percent toxicity increased as the concentration of herbicide increased. The current study clearly implies that higher concentration of alachlor is toxic to maize, resulted in a decline in seed germination and early growth parameters.