Evaluation of glycine betaine and methanol on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and nutritive value in different planting date

Abstract

Abstract Appropriate planting date is one of the important factors in determining the yield potential of crops, and the use of methanol and glycine betaine increased plant growth, especially in delayed cultivation. For this purpose, a factorial research was carried out in the form of a completely randomized block design with three replications in Mazandaran, Iran, on maize as a second planting after rice harvest. Treatments included glycine betaine at three levels [0 (control), 1, and 2 ppm], methanol at three levels of [0 (control), 10, and 20% v/v], and three planting dates: [August 6, 16, 27]. The results illustrated that the application of methanol and glycine, also increasing the concentration of methanol (20% v/v) and glycine concentration (2 ppm), improved the yield and forage quality of maize. The delay in maize cultivation (August 27) decreased yield and forage quality of maize. The best planting date for corn cultivation was August 6. Foliar spraying of methanol and glycine reduced the negative effects of delayed planting date compared to the control. Methanol 20% v/v + glycine betaine 2 ppm on planting date of August 6 raised dry matter yield (655%), WSC (190.75%), DMD (21%), ADF (50.32%) and NDF (39%) compared to the control of methanol and glycine in August 27. Overall, in order to achieve maximum yield and forage quality of maize, foliar spraying of methanol 20% v/v along with glycine 2 ppm on August 6 planting date is recommended.