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Pak. J. Bot., 45(S1): 21-25, 2013.

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EFFECT OF HUMIC ACID ON GROWTH AND QUALITY OF MAIZE FODDER PRODUCTION

IHSANULLAH DAUR^* AND AHMED A. BAKHASHWAIN

Abstract: The present study examined the effectiveness of powder humic acid (HA) as a source for enhancing growth and quality of maize fodder (Zea mays L.). The study was conducted at the Agriculture Research Station of King Abdul Aziz University, Saudi Arabia by growing maize 2 times during the crop season in the area spanning from September 2011–February 2012, using randomized block design. The effectiveness of HA was studied as controls (H₀: 0 kg of HA ha⁻¹), and with 6 different levels of HA (H₁ = 5 kg of HA ha⁻¹; H₂ = 10 kg of HA ha⁻¹; H₃ = 15 kg of HA ha⁻¹; H₄ = 20 kg of HA ha⁻¹; H₅ = 25 kg of HA ha⁻¹; and H₆ = 30 kg of HA ha⁻¹). Maize growth and quality parameters including plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, dry matter yield, minerals content, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were measured 60 days after sowing (R1, Silks visibility stage) each time for the crop. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for all the mentioned parameters across the HA levels. Based on this study, application of H₄ (25 kg of HA ha⁻¹) may be recommended to improve growth and quality of maize fodder in similar environmental conditions. Further research is required in diverse plant environments to determine economically feasible application level of HA while comparing it with other manures and organic fertilizer sources.   

Department of Arid Land Agriculture, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment & Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdul aziz University P.O. Box 80208, Jeddah: 21589, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding author’s e-mail: iaslam@kau.edu.sa; Tel: +966-594-133232