University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Plant growth regulators and biostimulants for use in varying management systems to improve corn grain yield

Sible, Connor Nelson

Content Files
SIBLE-THESIS-2019.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/104895

Description

Title
Plant growth regulators and biostimulants for use in varying management systems to improve corn grain yield
Author(s)
Sible, Connor Nelson
Issue Date
2019-04-22
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Below, Fred E.
Committee Member(s)
  • Martin, Nicolas Federico
  • Butts-Wilmsmeyer, Carolyn
Department of Study
Crop Sciences
Discipline
Crop Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2019-08-23T20:00:10Z
Keyword(s)
  • PGR
  • Biostimulant
  • Corn
Abstract
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and biostimulants are product chemistries that have recently become popular in the agricultural market. There is no concrete evidence however, for their best place in a management system to optimize their return on investment and crop yield potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of corn (Zea mays L.) grain yield to in-furrow and foliar applications of PGRs and biostimulants, and to determine if PGRs and biostimulants impact yield differently under varying management systems. Field studies were conducted in the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons across three locations: Harrisburg, Champaign, and Yorkville in Illinois. Corn was grown under two different management conditions, a standard or an intensive input system. The standard management was implemented with a standard planting population, fertility based on soil test values, and with no foliar fungicide. The intensive input system used an increased plant population, added fertility through nitrogen side-dress and foliar micro fertilizer applications, and provided a fungicide application at the VT growth stage. The PGRs (Ascend SL or Optify/Stretch) were applied in-furrow at planting, and either Ascend SL, or a biostimulant (Toggle or Voyagro) was applied to the foliage at the V5 growth stage. Corn plants grown in the intensive input system out-yielded those grown in the standard system by 1 kilogram hectacre-1 (15 bushels acre-1) on average, showing that grain yield can be increased through management. Plant growth regulators and biostimulant applications resulted in few significant impacts on yield and yield components, with responses being both positive and negative. Therefore, PGRs and biostimulants can influence corn grain yield, but these responses vary and their effects were greatest when applied in an intensive input system.
Graduation Semester
2019-05
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/104895
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2019 Connor Sible

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Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Crop Sciences