Effect of foliar application of hydrogen peroxide and compost on the initial growth of corn seedlings (Zea mays L.)
Mena-Acha D.; Atarama-Castillo S.; Chanduvi-García R.; Quiroz-Calderón M.; Peña-Castillo R.; Calero-Merino M.; Galecio-Julca M.; Montero-Salazar A.; Copa-Vizcarra S.; Morales-Pizarro A. · Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems (2025) · DOI: 10.56369/tsaes.6153
Resumen
Background: Corn is a cereal of great importance in human and animal food; which, guarantees food security and global economy. In Peru, corn is cultivated under conventional agriculture that is dependent on agrochemicals. Objective: To evaluate the combined effect of different foliar doses of hydrogen peroxide and compost on the initial development of corn seedlings. Methodology: Commercial hydrogen peroxide (CHP) (H2O2 at a concentration of 3 g 100 mL-1) and compost-C were evaluated in the treatments: T0 (control-conventional), T1 (C-2.5% CHP), T2 (C-5% CHP), T3 (C-10% CHP). The morphometric variables were: plant height (PA), root length (RL), number of leaves (NH) and stem diameter (SD) and biomass: aerial fresh weight (AFW), aerial dry weight (ADW), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RW) at 26 and 39 DDS (days after planting), Brix grades (°B) were evaluated on the last date. Results: T2 and T3 treatments significantly improved LR and NH at 26 DDS; however, at 39 DDS, T2 increased AP, PFA, PFR, PSA, PSR and °B; and T3 increased LR. The highest positive correlation between variables was present at 39 DDS with respect to 36 DDS. Implications: The combined effect of “PHc” and “C” improves plant performance through a good distribution of organic carbon (glucids) obtained from carbon dioxide fixation and reduces fertilizer use. Conclusion: Treatments T2 and T3 significantly increased the variables under study at 39 DDS. Likewise, the positive correlation between the variables improved. Copyright © the authors. Work licensed under a CC-BY 4.0 License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Piura