Corn initial vigor in response to humic acids from bovine manure and poultry litter

Abstract

Corn is grown throughout the country, with its yields varying according to the technology investment. Among the technologies that seek to optimize productivity, the focus is on the use of improved seeds, which is associated with the properly integrated management of production factors such as pH adjustment and soil fertilization, irrigation, pest control and competitors, and more recently, the use of plant growth regulators. Analogous to synthetic growth regulators such as auxins, humic substances in organic matter have a stimulating effect on plants. However, the bioactivity and optimum concentration of humic substances vary with the type of plant and the type of raw materials used for their isolation. This work aimed to study the growth and development of maize in response to the treatment of seeds by different concentrations of humic acids. The treatments involved the application of two sources of humic acid (bovine manure and poultry litter) and five concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mmol L-1 of C) of humic acid solutions to seeds in a bioassay carried out in a greenhouse. At the end of the experiment (45 days after germination), plants were evaluated biometrically and nutritionally. The results showed a significant increase in the growth and development of shoots and roots, and there was a significant accumulation of N and P after the application of humic acid isolated from bovine manure. These effects did not occur with the application of humic acid isolated from poultry litter. Therefore, biostimulation by humic acids isolated from bovine manure showed positive results and was complementary as compared to the effects of other inputs commonly used in the treatment of maize seeds.

Keywords

• Bioactivity; Humic substances; Soil chemistry and fertility; Soil organic matter