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Role of Sulphydryl Compounds in Improving Dry Matter Partitioning and Grain Production of Maize ( Zea mays L.)
Author(s) -
Sahu M. P.,
Solanki N. S.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-037x.1991.tb00968.x
Subject(s) - dry matter , thiourea , stover , agronomy , urea , zea mays , chemistry , field experiment , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Three sulphydryl compounds, viz., 2‐mercaptoethanol, 2‐mercaptoethylamine and thiourea, were tested for improving dry matter partitioning and grain production of maize in field culture. The chemicals were applied ca. 0.1 % concentration as foliar spray at grain formation stage. Mercaptoethanol, mercaptoethylamine and thiourea increased grain yield ha −1 by 18.1, 29.2 and 34.1 %, respectively compared with water control Significant improvement in harvest index, a measure of dry matter partitioning for grain production, was also noted with the spray chemicals but stover and biological yields ha −1 remained uninfluenced. Foliar spray of 0.1 % urea did not have any effects on the above parameter and thus the effects of thiourea were largely a function of sulphydryl group. It is suggested that sulphydryl compounds have a considerable potential for increasing grain production of maize and perhaps of similar other cereals.