Abstract:

The aim of the experiment is to obtain the suitable concentration of a growth inhibitor for improving the quality and yield of direct-harvesting summer maize ‘Dika 517’. The standard solvent was 1.0 mL/kg 30% diethylaminoethyl hexanoate and ethephon mixture (DHE) water agent (100%). According to 6 concentration ratios of 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, and 200%, it was titrated into 6 spray watering pots with the same volume by the test tube, and the control treatment was water. The reagent was fully dissolved and the foliar spray was carried out corresponding to the experimental treatment. Results showed that 50% concentration treatment decreased the height of the maize plant by 23 cm, and reduced the height of ear by 5 cm, which enhanced the performance of lodging compared with the control treatment. In addition, the grain weight per ear was significantly higher than that of the control and 100% as well as above 100% treatments, which suggested that the quality of the grain of 50% concentration treatment was better than that of the control. Although the 100-grain weight of 50% treatment was only less than 75% treatment, the seed rate of 50% treatment was the highest in all the treatments. The plot yield of 50% treatment had obvious difference with that of the control. 0.50 mL/kg ‘30% DHE’ decreased the plant height and ear height reasonably, and increased the yield and quality. Therefore, it is recommended to be used in ‘Dika 517’ production under the planting density of 8.25×10 ⁴ plant/hm ².

Key words: direct-harvesting summer maize, growth inhibitors, different concentrations, quality and yield, effect