Spraying with nano-moringa leaf extract affects growth and yields four maize varieties

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out in the spring agricultural season of 2023 at Ibn Al-Bitar Vocational Preparatory School in the Al-Husseiniyah area in the Holy Karbala Governorate, to study the effect of spraying nano-moringa leaf extract on the growth characteristics and yield of four maize varieties. The split-block experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The main plots included of four concentrations of nano-moringa leaf extract (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg L-1) sprayed every two weeks until physiological maturity. The subplots included four varieties of maize (NadH9055, NadH362, NadH386, and NadH315). The results showed that spraying with nano Moringa leaf extract at a concentration of 400 and 600 mg L-1 caused a significant increase in the number of days up to 50% tasseling, number of days up to 50% silking, leaf area, leaf area index, number of grains per row, weight of 500 grains, and grain yield, which gave averages of (74.08 and 74.08 day), (80.42 and 80.75 day), (4643.42 and 4662.81 cm2), (2.48 and 2.49), (28.02 and 30.15 grains row-1), (117.17 and 117.58 g), (5.06 and 5.41 Mg ha-1). The results also showed the superiority of the NadH9055and NadH362 varieties in the number of days up to 50% tasseling, number of days until 50% silking, and number of grains per row gave averages of (66.33 and 67.00 days), (68.75 and 70.50 days), and (31.02 and 32.31 grains per row-1) compared to the rest of the varieties. As for grain yield, the NadH362 variety excelled with an average of (6.39 Mg ha-1) for the rest of the varieties. While the NadH315 variety outperformed in leaf area, leaf area index, and weight of 500 grains, , it gave averages of (5409.08 cm2), (2.88), and (136.42 g) In light of the results presented, it is clear the importance of spraying nano-moringa leaf extract in improving the growth characteristics of maize, which was reflected positively in increasing the yield of four varieties of maize.