Role of Sulphydryl Compounds in Improving Dry Matter Partitioning and Grain Production of Maize (Zea mays L.)

• Published in: Journal of agronomy and crop science (1986) Vol. 167; no. 5; pp. 356 - 359
• Main Authors: Sahu, M. P., Solanki, N. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.12.1991; Blackwell
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; dry matter partitioning; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Analysis and diagnosis methods; grain production; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; sulphydryl compounds; Zea mays; Zea mays, dry matter partitioning; Translocation; Monocotyledones; Zea mays; Gramineae; Chemical treatment; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Yield; Cereal crop
• ISSN: 0931-2250; 1439-037X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-037X.1991.tb00968.x

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.