Application of Electromagnetic Field in Maize to Improve Productivity under Rain-fed Conditions
Ma. Elena Ramírez *
National Polytechnic Institute, Sepi-Esime, Zacatenco, Professional Unit ‘Adolfo López Mateos’, Col. Lindavista, México D.F., C.P. 07738, Mexico.
Claudia Hernández Aguilar
National Polytechnic Institute, Sepi-Esime, Zacatenco, Professional Unit ‘Adolfo López Mateos’, Col. Lindavista, México D.F., C.P. 07738, Mexico.
Aquiles Carballo Carballo
College of Postgraduates, Genetic Resources Program and Productivity, Seed Production, Montecillo, Texcoco, km. 36.5 Carr., México.
Flavio Arturo Domínguez Pacheco
National Polytechnic Institute, Sepi-Esime, Zacatenco, Professional Unit ‘Adolfo López Mateos’, Col. Lindavista, México D.F., C.P. 07738, Mexico.
J. Apolinar Mejía Contreras
College of Postgraduates, Genetic Resources Program and Productivity, Seed Production, Montecillo, Texcoco, km. 36.5 Carr., México.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In order to know the feasibility of using physical methods such as pre-sowing treatment and evaluated infield for maize production in agrosystems with moisture and inputs limitations, five varieties were used: “HS-2”, “CP-20”, “Promesa”, “HT-Precoz”, “CPV-20”, and “Criollo de Mineral de Pozos”, Gto. The seeds were treated with 560 mT variable electromagnetic field during 30 minutes before sowing. There were significant statistical differences among treatments for ear weight and for varieties in plant height and ear height and weight. The HS-2 hybrid had the lowest value for emergency velocity and emerged plants percentage, but yielded at 12% humidity 4,950 t ha-1 with magnetism and 3,863 t ha-1 without magnetism, it out yielded the rest of the varieties; meanwhile the Native variety had 1,864 t ha-1 under rain-fed conditions; without treatment it yielded 1,494 t ha-1 under rain-fed conditions. It was showed that treatment with the magnetic field tends to increase an 28.13% and 24.76% in improved and native varieties, respectively. HS-2, CPV-20 and Criollo M. de Pozos varieties had a low grain moisture content when they were harvested suggesting that magnetism could promote an early physiological maturity.
Keywords: Zea mays L, magnetic field, rain-fed conditions.