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Growth and Yield of White Corn (Zea mays L.) as Affected by Growth Enhancer

Lucila V Rocha*, Geronimo L Digma

Seed priming is a beneficial technique to improve seed germination, uniformity and growth in many crops like corn. Effective Microorganisms (EM), a commercial concoction of microbes which include yeasts, fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes were found effective in enhancing crop growth. Effective Microorganisms as growth enhancer on stocked corn seeds was conducted under the laboratory and field conditions from January 27 to May 10, 2020 at San Isidro Sur, Luna Apayao, Cordillera Administrative Region. Five growth enhancers: Oriental Herbal Nutrient, Coconut Water, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Wood Vinegar and Effective Microorganism were used as seed primer under the laboratory experiment. Results showed that stocked seeds primed with any of the growth enhancers attained comparable length and weight of roots and shoots at 10 and 20 DAS. However, germination test showed that EM resulted in higher percentage germination thereby used under field conditions.

Results showed significant differences in terms of plant and ear heights, length and diameter of husked corn ear, heavier unhusked and husked ears per plant and per 6.75m² sampling area. Presoaking of seeds with EM plus the recommended rate of inorganic fertilizer significantly increased the yield and gave the highest return on investment of stocked corn seeds particularly at a level of 150%. Therefore, seed treatment using EM is proven to be an effective technique to increase germination as well as yield of white corn.