Seed treatments with salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense enhance growth and yield of maize plants (Zea mays L.) under field conditions

Authors

  • Luis Alfredo Rodríguez Larramendi Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas. Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Villa Corzo. Carretera a Monterrey Km 3.0. Villa Corzo CP 30520. Chiapas. México https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8805-7180
  • Miguel Ángel Salas-Marina Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas. Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Villa Corzo. Carretera a Monterrey Km 3.0. Villa Corzo CP 30520. Chiapas. México
  • Vidal Hernández García Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas. Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Villa Corzo. Carretera a Monterrey Km 3.0. Villa Corzo CP 30520. Chiapas. México https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9383-6426
  • Rady Alejandra Campos Saldaña Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas. Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Villa Corzo. Carretera a Monterrey Km 3.0. Villa Corzo CP 30520. Chiapas. México https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5724-4618
  • Wel Olveín Cruz Macías Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas. Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Villa Corzo. Carretera a Monterrey Km 3.0. Villa Corzo CP 30520. Chiapas. México https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0472-8755
  • Raúl López Sánchez Universidad de Granma. Carretera a Peralejo Km 18. Bayamo 85100. Granma. Cuba https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0477-3572

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48162/rev.39.092

Keywords:

bioactive products, biofertilizers, plant hormones

Abstract

Salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense stimulate plant growth and productivity. In some environments, plant physiology similarly responds to both bioactive products. Considering this, a field experiment was conducted to study the physiological effect of Salicilic acid and A. brasilense on growth and grain yield of maize plants. The experiment involved three treatments consisting of imbibed seeds in an aqueous solution of SA (0.01 mM), inoculated seeds with A. brasilense and a control treatment. Seed imbibition in SA and inoculation with A. brasilense improved vegetative growth in the early stages of crop ontogeny, increasing leaf growth, plant height, stem diameter and biomass accumulation. Spikelet length and weight were greater in plants first inoculated with A. brasilense and then treated with SA. Results indicated that SA stimulated biomass partitioning towards leaves, root and stem, while A. brasilense mainly affected leaf growth, plant height, ear dimensions and grain yield. Such results turn crucial for biological fertilization strategies aimed at reducing pollutant loads that accompany chemical fertilizers. Both products can be part of maize management practices given competitive economic advantages and sustainability.

Highlights:

  • Seed imbibition in SA and inoculation with brasilense improved vegetative growth in the early stages of crop ontogeny, increasing leaf growth, plant height, stem diameter and biomass accumulation.
  • Salicylic Acid stimulated biomass partitioning towards leaves, root and stem in maize plants.
  • Azospirillum brasilense stimulates leaf growth, plant height, as well as ear dimensions and grain yield in corn plants.

Downloads

Published

15-03-2023

Issue

Section

Ecophysiology and crop management

Most read articles by the same author(s)