Effect of seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) sap and boron on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

In the 2023 Zaid season, a field experiment was carried out at the Department of Agronomy's Crop Research Farm. The experiment consisted of three replications and a randomized block design with ten treatments. There were three stages to the treatments: seaweed sap (2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5%) and three levels of boron (2.5 kg/ha, 1%, 1.25 kg/ha + 0.5%) soil, as well as foliar spray and a control (N-P-K 120-60-60 kg/ha). Application of seaweed sap (7.5%) and boron (1.25 kg/ha + 0.5%) (treatment 9) recorded maximum plant dry weight (162.10 g/plant), number of cobs per plant (1.90), number of grains per cob (258.00), seed index (27.80), seed yield (6.40 t/ha) and Additionally, the greatest benefit-cost ratio (2.19) was obtained for treatment 9.