Response of Yield and Yield Components of Grain Maize (Zea mays L.) to Foliar Application of Cytokinin and Auxin in Different Planting Arrangements Under Saline Stress Conditions

To study the effect of cytokinin (0 as control and 50 mgl-1) and auxin (0 as control and 10 mgl-1) hormones and planting arrangements (single row, double rows and furrow plantings) on grain yield and yield compoments of maize SC704 under saline stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted as split factorial arrangements using randomized complete block design with three replications in 2013 and 2014 in Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. The experimental factors included: planting arrangement in main-plots and growth regulators as factorial in subplots. Results showed that double rows and furrow planting increased grain yield by 31.7% and 74.6%, respectively (P<0.01). Foliar application of cytokinin and auxin in both years increased grain yield. The highest plant height obtained in furrow planting and foliar application cytokinin hormone. Cytokinin and auxin application increased the number of rows per ear and number of grain per row in all planting arrangements. Cytokinin and auxin increased 1000 grain weight by 14.42% and 14.46%, respectively (P<0.01). The application of cytokinin and auxin in different planting arrangements increased harvest index by 19% and 30.72%, respectively (P<0.01). The results showed that furrow planting and foliar application of cytokinin in the V8-V10 stage and auxin at the silking stage increased grain yield of maize SC704 under saline stress conditions.