Evaluation of the Influence of a Growth Hormone on the Germination Parameters of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.), an annual herbaceous plant of the Poaceae family, plays a significant role in the agricultural systems of Côte d'Ivoire, where it is a strategic crop for food, trade, and socio-cultural purposes. However, its production remains limited by climatic constraints, soil degradation, and extensive farming methods that require vast areas of land. To address these challenges, improving maize agronomic performance requires optimizing production techniques, particularly during the critical germination stage. This study was initiated to evaluate the effect of different doses of chemical treatments on the germination and initial growth of maize seedlings. The overall objective is to contribute to the sustainable production of this crop by improving yields. To this end, germination trials were conducted in the laboratory using an experimental design comprising six treatments: an untreated control (T0), distilled water (T1), three concentrations of SomRE (2 ppm, 0.2 ppm, and 0.02 ppm), and a 0.1 µM indoleacetic acid (IAA) solution. In each cup, 50 seeds were fully immersed in the corresponding solution before incubation under controlled conditions for seven days. The parameters monitored included the germination rate (Tg), germination velocity (Vg), germination time (Dg), and root and stem length measured on day seven. The results show that the SomRE treatments at concentrations of 2 ppm, 0.2 ppm, and 0.02 ppm significantly improved germination and seedling growth compared to the control. SomRE, a synthetic hormone derived from indole, particularly stimulated root elongation, promoting greater adaptability to abiotic stress. These results suggest that the controlled use of SomRE could be an effective approach to boosting maize productivity in at-risk agricultural areas.