Effects of seaweed extracts on growth, yield, and chlorophyll and carotenoid content of sweet corn (Zea mays L.)
2024
Evano, K.L.L.
Corn (Zea mays L.) ranks second to rice in agricultural resource utilization in the Philippines. Due to the increasing cost of rice and high demands for staple food, corn can be an alternative source of carbohydrates. Application of seaweed extracts has been proven beneficial for growth and yield. Hence, effects of Gracilaria heteroclada extracts on growth, yield, and pigments of sweet corn were investigated. Corns were planted in three blocks, each with three plots treated with one of the following: water (T1), 50% seaweed extract (T2), and 75% scawced extract (T3). Results showed that foliar application of Gracilaria heteroclada extract significantly enhanced the growth, yield, and plant pigments (i., chlorophyll) of the corn. For growth parameters, 75% seaweed extract (T3) got the highest record of plant height (237.98 cm) and stem diameter (19.66 mm). While, for yield parameters, 50% seaweed extract (T2) got the highest record of cob length with husk (30.22 cm), green cob weight (337.12 g), number of grains per row (42.83), number of grain-rows per cob (14.80), number of grains per cob (634), and leaf total chlorophyll (30.03). However, no significant effects were observed in the number of leaves, cob width with husk, weight of 1,000 kernels, and kernel carotenoid content (24.67). In addition, the presence of minerals and phytohormones in 50% and 75% fermented G. heteroclada extracts used as foliar fertilizer contributed to improve growth, yield, and chlorophyll content in sweet corn.
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