Straight and Blended Applications of Iaa (Indole Acetic Acid) and Boron (B) for the Improvement of Crop Productivity in Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Straight and Blended Applications of Iaa (Indole Acetic Acid) and Boron (B) for the Improvement of Crop Productivity in Maize (Zea Mays L.) | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Straight and Blended Applications of Iaa (Indole Acetic Acid) and Boron (B) for the Improvement of Crop Productivity in Maize ( Zea Mays L. ) Khalid Hussain, Hassnaina Ghaus, Meiyan Liu, Khalid Nawaz, Noshia Arshad, and 3 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6308550/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 26 Nov, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Plant Biology → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), a plant growth regulator, is well-known for enhancing crop growth and yield. Similarly, micronutrients like Boron (B) play a crucial role in the healthy development of crops. While the individual (straight) applications of IAA and B have been extensively studied in maize, their combined (blended) application has not been reported for this crop, revealing a significant research gap. To address this, a series of experiments were conducted at the University of Gujrat, Pakistan, using two maize varieties: Pak-Afgoi and Golden. Six different levels of IAA and B were applied as foliar sprays (straight and blended), 21 days after germination. The results demonstrated that foliar applications of IAA and B significantly improved the growth and productivity of maize plants. The most pronounced improvements in morphological traits—such as plant height, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, number of leaves, leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR) were observed at a concentration of 30 ppm IAA and Boron (blended). Furthermore, applications of IAA and B enhanced the physiological and biochemical parameters, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, antioxidant enzyme activities i.e. catalases (CAT) and peroxidases (POD), as well as carbohydrate and protein contents. Yield related traits, such as the number of cobs and seeds per plant and overall grain yield were also positively influenced by IAA and B. Among the two varieties, the Golden variety outperformed Pak-Afgoi in growth and yield. In conclusion, the foliar applications of IAA combination with Boron (blended) proved to be more effective than their individual applications (straight), suggesting that their synergistic effect can be utilized to enhance the morphological, physiological, and yield attributes of maize. IAA boron maize growth yield antioxidants blended Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 INTRODUCTION Among cereal crops, Zea mays L. (maize/corn) the member of Poaceae family is an essential annual cereal crop of the world. Maize is ranked at topmost regarding to its productivity and usage. Amongst the cereals maize is the first crop in the world regarding to its yield and production [ 1 ]. It is mainly used in the diet of human and other livestock feed mainly poultry. Diverse components that reduce the yield of maize are weeds impediment, low standard seed and deficiency of nutrients [ 2 ]. Maize cultivation is necessary because it provides several important food items prepared in the industry that’s why it has high demand [ 3 ]. At all growth stages maize is reactive to nutrients because it is a C 4 crop and with the sufficient supply of nutrients, it gives excessive production [ 4 ]. Due to low organic matter and alkaline calcareous nature crops which are grown in arid or semi-arid regions reveal many nutrient deficiencies and low crop production [ 5 ]. The crops which are grown in rainfed soils of Pakistan have low amount of Zn and B as compared to those crops which are present in irrigated areas. There are different reasons for this deficiency. The main cause of crop deficiency is the low availability of irrigated water which is necessary for the crop plants to apply the nutrients in rainfed areas under field states. Secondly, most of the farmers of Pakistan do not apply the important micronutrients to the plants especially Zn and B that is causing the deficiency of these nutrients in the soil and crop production reduces [ 6 ]. Micronutrients (B, Zn, Co, Mn. Cu, Ni, Fe and Mo) are also essential in low amount but it performs a major role in crop production and these have utmost importance for development and growth of plants. Because micronutrients are not only required for increasing the grain yield but also play a significant role to improve the quality of seeds and grains [ 7 ]. As to change quality, yield and better harvesting plant growth regulators can alter their structure and different life processes in same advantageous way. Then these growth factors can change their response according to the changes which produce in the environment and other physiological functions [ 8 ]. Among the auxin class IAA (indole acetic acid) is the supreme plant hormone involved in growth. IAA performs a major role during cell division and elongation [ 9 ]. IAA motivates cell elongation which is a fundamental step in the cell enlargement. Majid et al. [ 10 ] found that IAA performs a vital role in activating the expansion of root system. Tiller growth and mass of spikes also increased by IAA application. If IAA is applied externally it can strongly upgrades the length of stem in pea plants and this elevation will be greater in dwarf plants. In crop plants it has been reported that IAA responds to salinity. Akbari et al. [ 11 ] suggested that the proper application of auxin can increase seedlings growth and height of wheat plants. For increasing crop production and development of foliage growth and seeds development auxins are used commercially. These are also used for the regulation of plant growth with the lateral root development [ 12 ]. It was found that foliar applications of IAA improved the growth, seed size and grain yield production [ 13 ]. Boron is firmly allied with plant growth and development because have key role in cell division. Maize efficiency can be increased by Boron in high amount when it is applied in soil [ 6 ]. Micronutrients which are applied by foliar treatment show 6 to 20 times more convenient response than the soil supplication and enhance nutrition [ 14 ]. Maize food and fodder yield can be enhanced by the foliar applications of B at premature, central and later growth phases along with suggested dosage of NPK [ 15 ]. Boron has effect on the plant metabolism, cell membrane and the structure of cell wall. Due to this effect in some crops it is also helped to reduce the disease toxicity [ 16 ]. By raising the vascular system of plants and giving stability to the cell wall and membrane B decreased the effect of pathogens [ 17 ]. In the light of above mentioned description, this study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of IAA and Boron to find its best concentration that can be useful to enhance the growth and yield of maize because in the past there is no study for the efficacy of blended applications of IAA and B in maize. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experiments were carried out at University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan. There were two varieties of maize (Pak-Afgoi and Golden) used in this study. Seeds were taken from the Department of Agriculture Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. Seeds were sown in plastic pots of 30cm filled with 10kg of sandy loam soil and 5 plants were kept in each pot. Pots were kept in green house having 25% humidity, temperature 25-30 o C. All the agronomic practices were applied as recommended by Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), Pakistan for maize crop. Six treatments of IAA and Boron (blended and straight) were applied after 14 days of germination. These levels of IAA and B have not been studied so far. The treatments were: To = Control T 1 = 20 ppm IAA T 2 = 30 ppm IAA T 3 = 20 ppm Boron T 4 = 20 ppm IAA + 20 ppm Boron T 5 = 30 ppm IAA + 30ppm Boron All the treatments were applied as foliar spray in single dose. Experiment was conducted in CRD (completely randomized design) with 3 replicates. Data was collected at two different growth stages i.e. 21 days (vegetative) and 128 days after treatment (maturity) for biochemical, physiological and yield characteristics. Lengths of shoot and root were measured from the tip of the shoot using meter scale. These plants were weighed with electrical balance separately for shoot and root and it was oven dried at 65 0 C for four days. After that the weights of root and shoot were noted by electrical balance. Carleton and Foote [ 18 ] formula was used to calculate the leaf area of the plant by multiplying leaf length with width and correction factor (0.75) Relative Growth Rate (RGR) was calculated with the help of given below formula RGR was recorded. RGR= \(\:\frac{1}{\text{W}}\times\:\frac{\varDelta\:\text{W}}{\varDelta\:\text{T}}\) Where, W = Weight of dry shoot at initial stages ∆W = Weight of dry shoot at final stage – weight of dry shoot at initial stage ∆T = Number of days between initial as well as final stage Net Assimilation Rate (g/cm 2 /day) with the help of given below formula. NAR= \(\:\frac{\text{W}2-\text{W}1}{\text{T}2-\text{T}1}\times\:\frac{\text{log}\text{L}2-\text{l}\text{o}\text{g}\text{L}1}{\text{L}2-\text{L}1}\) Where, W 2 = weight of dry shoot at final stage W 1 = weight of dry shoot at initial stage L 2 = Leaf area at final stage L 1 = Leaf area at initial stage T 2 = Number of days of final stage T 1 = Number of days of initial stage Chlorophyll and Carotenoid Contents (mg/g) were determined using Arnon [ 19 ] method. Determination of antioxidant activities for CAT (Catalase) and POD (Peroxidase) was done by the procedure of Chance and Maethly [ 20 ] method. Total Carbohydrates (mg/ml) were estimated by following the Krishnaveni et al. [ 21 ]. For the estimation for total protein Bradford [ 22 ] method was used. Number of seeds/cob were counted and the mean value was calculated of each treatment that were weighted at electrical balance to calculate the total yield/plant. Variance Analysis (ANOVA) was employed to find the effects of treatment using Minitab software. Mean values were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability level. RESULTS Growth Parameters It was noted from the mean sequares calculated from ANOVA that IAA applications were highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) for all the foliage growth attributes of maize as root and shoot lengths and fresh and dry weights. Applications of Boron (B) had also signifcant effect except for shoot and root lengths at vegetative stage (Table-1). Varietial response was also higly signifcant. Similarly, intercations among various factors (IAAxB, IAAxV, IAAx B xV) were also higly signifcant. Maxium increase for all the growth characters was present in variety Golden at maturity stage except shoot dry weight at vegetaive stage in variety Pak-Afgoi (Fig. 1 ). Data presented in table-2 showed that effect of IAA was highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) for root fresh and dry weights, number of leaves, leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR), while Boron had varation in results that were non siginficant to highly significant effects. RGR and NAR had highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) results for Boron. Variety Pak-Afgoi had higher RGR in repsones to IAA and Boron while NAR was higher in variety Golden (Fig. 2 ). All the growth characters were increased with the applications of IAA and B. Blended applications of IAA and B showed higher foliage growth charateristics as acomapred to other treatments. Photosynthetic Pigments Results given in table-3 for chlorophylls and carotenoides showed that the effect of IAA was highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) in two varieteis of maize but B had signifcant effects for most of the attributes. There were sigificant variations between both maize varieties in repspose to IAA and B. Chl.a, b, total chl. and carotenoides contents were siginicantly incresaed in both varieties of maize (Fig. 3). Maxium increase in photosynthetic pigments were noted in variety Pak-Afgoi at vegetative stage with bleded applications of IAA and B. Antioxidant activities, quality and yield attributes Mean sequares calculated from ANOVA given in table-4 revealed that IAA and B had highly significant (P ≤ 0.00) effects on catalases, peroxidases, total carbohydrates and proteins and yield characters of maize. Varietal reponse, interactions among all the factors was also highly significant (P ≤ 0.001). Antioxidant activities (catalases, peroxidases) and yield was incresaed with the applications of IAA and B. Maximum increase in catalases and peroxidases was noted in variety Pak-Afgoi at vegetative stage with blended applications of IAA with B. Number of seeds/cob and total yield was also increased by IAA and B. Maximum incresae was noted in variety Golden (Fig. 4). DISCUSSION The findings of this study demonstrated that IAA has positively influenced the growth of maize. The maize plants experienced a significant increase in growth as a result of enhanced cell division and elongation [ 22 ]. IAA has a significant impact on plant growth by influencing cell growth and promoting cell division [ 23 ]. The reasons can be ascribed that IAA is the only naturally occurring major auxins that increases stem elongation, cell expansion and growth rate [ 24 ]. Hadi [ 25 ] confirmed that with the foliar spray of IAA the shoot length of a plant can be increased. The plant height of maize exhibited a substantial rise with the application of increasing IAA. Basnet et al. [ 26 ] also found similar outcomes in terms of plant height enhancement and reduction in flower drop in mungbean. According to Lobo et al. [ 27 ], the use of IAA had a positive impact on the growth characteristics of tomato plants. The improvement in plant height of maize was occurred due to application of boron (B) because it increased the internodal length of plant by increasing number of cells as it is known that the boron is associated with the development of cell wall and cell differentiation and hence, helps in shoot growth of plant [ 28 ]. Boron is a crucial component for the development of plants. It participates in several processes, such as sugar transport, lignification, cell wall structure, carbohydrate metabolism, RNA metabolism, respiration, IAA metabolism, phenolic and ascorbate metabolism [ 29 ]. The use of IAA and Boron resulted in a larger leaf area for maize plants. This was in conformity with the findings of Baz et al. [ 30 ]. They reported that plants treated with foliar sprays of IAA showed pronounced increase in their leaf area. Ahmed et al. [ 31 ] emphasized the importance of boron application at different rates and observed substantial enhancements in growth indices. Lim et al. [ 32 ] observed that foliar spray of IAA and Boron improve rate of chlorophyll pigments in plants and also useful for slowing down the process of leaf damage, while on the other hand decomposition in plants photosynthesis was reported under the application of ethylene and jasmonates. Leite et al. [ 33 ] found that chlorophyll content was increased by applying IAA therefore foliar use of IAA increased leaf area in soyabean. According to Kaya et al. [ 7 ] applications of IAA to the leaves of plants leads to an increase in chlorophyll content. Synkova et al. [ 34 ] narrated that antioxidant activities (CAT, POD) were high by the use of plants growth regulators (IAA) that also control the activation of organogenesis. It was reported that micronutrient as Boron (B) also increased the Catalase activities in plants. It may be much beneficial for plants to eliminate the oxidative stress [ 35 ]. In maize plants foliar application of IAA in different concentration was showed highly significant result. Khalid et al. [ 36 ] noted that POD activities were reduced due to low passage through cell wall but when the concentration of IAA was increased POD activity was highly improved to initiate the ability of manufacturing. IAA activates the translocation of carbohydrates during their synthesis [ 37 ]. Boron has also a positive role in the synthesis of nucleic acids, carbohydrate metabolism and transport from source to sink, and total plant biomass [ 38 ] due to the increase in enzyme activity and carbon assimilation as well as sugar and carbohydrate metabolism [ 39 ]. Boron has been discovered to have a significant impact on the process of nitrogen metabolism and assimilation [ 40 ]. Bayar et al. [ 41 ] observed that foliar application of Boron and IAA on corn resulted in higher amount of protein synthesis and plant yield. Boron is crucial for the reproduction and growth of corn plants. CONCLUSION The study concluded that the blended foliar application of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and boron significantly enhanced maize growth and yield compared to straight treatments. Furthermore, among the maize varieties tested, the Golden variety exhibited superior responsiveness to the combined IAA and boron treatment, indicating its potential for higher productivity under these applications. ​It is recommended to apply Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and boron in combination, as this blended application has been shown to more effectively enhance maize growth and yield compared to individual treatments. Abbreviations IAA Indole Acetic Acid B Boron RGR Relative Growth Rate NAR Net Assimilation Rate CAT Catalases POD Peroxidases PPM Parts per million Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable Consent for publication: Not applicable Availability of data and materials: The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest Funding: Funding Open access funding provided by the authors. Liaoning Provincial Scientific Research Funding Project (LJKMZ20221007) Authors' contributions: Khalid Hussain, Meiyan Liu & Hassnaina Ghausdesigned and performed the experiments. Khalid Nawaz analyzed the data. Noshia Arshad and Uswa Ali wrote the research paper. Zahid Anwarhelped in data analysis and proof reading.Chen Liuco-supervised and provided financial support . All authors reviewed the manuscript. Acknowledgements: Not applicable. 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Tables Table-1: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for foliage growth in two maize varieties ( Zea mays L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron Source of variance df MS shoot length (vegetative stage) MS shoot length (maturity) MS root length (vegetative stage) MS root length (maturity) MS shoot fresh weight (vegetative stage) MS shoot fresh weight (maturity) MS shoot dry weight (vegetative stage) MS shoot dry weight (maturity) Main effects IAA 2 155.718** 193.277*** 149.936*** 33.625*** 4.016*** 25.891*** 10.648*** 6.294*** Boron (B) 1 47.61ns 565.646** 1.44ns 61.622*** 4.444ns 45.292*** 0.132 ** 5.744** Var 1 174.24** 1340.780*** 98.671*** 12.366** 5.428*** 255.466*** 25.942 ** 6.183*** Interaction IAA x B 2 209.130*** 704.238*** 68.525*** 18.205** 0.550** 56.411*** 8.092** 5.096** IAA x var 2 32.705ns 7.980ns 22.735** 64.583*** 0.414*** 8.919*** 2.112*** 7.069*** Boron x var 1 133.787** 89.302*** 5.137ns 164.266*** 1.067*** 24.933*** 0.006 ns 3.228** IAA x B x var 2 86.813* 426.985** 81.618*** 42.725*** 1.439*** 18.884*** 8.976** 4.539*** Error 24 16.820 3.599 2.7575 3.055 5.083 0.140 0.073 0.073 Total 35 Table-2: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for growth attributes in two maize varieties ( Zea mays L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron Source of variance df MS root fresh weight (vegetative stage) MS root fresh weight (maturity) MS root dry weight (vegetative stage) MS root dry weight (maturity) MS no. of leaves/plant (vegetative stage) MS no. of leaves/plant (maturity) MS leaf area/plant (vegetative stage) MS leaf area/plant (maturity) MS RGR MS NAR Main effects IAA 2 0.574*** 3.137*** 1.252*** 1.644*** 0.777** 1.694* 326.785*** 949.561*** 4.810*** 0.058*** Boron (B) 1 0.016ns 5.969*** 6.934*** 0.009ns 0.25 ns 1.361ns 868.480*** 142.319*** 4.492** 0.011*** Var 1 0.401*** 0.376*** 0.026ns 4.084** 0.027ns 6.25 *** 540.040*** 568.801*** 16.875*** 0.072*** Interaction IAA x B 2 0.350*** 3.733*** 2.995*** 0.423** 1.333** 7.194*** 109.173*** 892.333*** 6.078*** 0.031*** IAA x var 2 2.012*** 5.943** 1.648*** 2.788*** 0.777 ** 2.25** 137.494*** 578.790*** 0.927ns 0.037*** Boron x var 1 0.176* 4.752*** 0.084ns 0.472ns 0.027ns 0.25ns 316.771*** 627.571*** 12.228*** 0.004*** IAA x B x var 2 0.476** 17.459** 0.156ns 0.042** 0.444* 1.75* 165.146*** 128.717*** 11.922*** 0.002*** Error 24 0.015 0.016 0.055 0.032 0.083 0.333 6.232 51.479 0.330*** 7.510 Total 35 Table-3: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for photosynthetic pigments in two maize varieties ( Zea mays L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron Source of variance df MS Chl-a contents (vegetative stage) MS Chl-a contents (maturity) MS Chl-b contents (vegetative stage) MS Chl-b contents (maturity) MS Total chl. contents (vegetative stage) MS Total chl. contents (maturity) MS carotenoids contents (vegetative stage) MS carotenoids contents (maturity) Main effects IAA 2 3.321*** 9.181*** 7.288ns 5.365** 6.890*** 0.002*** 3.469*** 2.912*** Boron (B) 1 8.702ns 4.769* 9.915** 2.029** 7.008** 0.004** 1.076ns 3.001* Var 1 9.537** 1.478*** 1.651ns 4.378* 0.004** 0.004 ** 1.319** 2.990** Interaction IAA x B 2 5.677** 2.111** 4.556* 1.200** 0.002*** 0.005*** 1.985** 3.787** IAA x var 2 3.389*** 1.144** 1.048 *** 9.817*** 0.001 *** 0.002** 2.346 ** 4.017** Boron x var 1 1.029* 5.056* 2.548** 1.013** 0.006*** 9.997*** 1.814** 6.265** IAA x B x var 2 7.503** 3.221** 5.925** 1.810** 0.001*** 0.005*** 1.900** 2.819** Error 24 3.684 7.616 1.045 8.130 1.806 2.350 3.395 1.846 Total 35 Ns=Non Significant; *,**,***, significant at 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively Table-4: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for antioxidant, quality and yield attributes in two maize varieties ( Zea mays L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron Source of variance df MS Catalases (vegetative stage) MS Catalases (maturity) MS Peroxidases (vegetative stage) MS Peroxidases (maturity) MS Total carbohydrates (vegetative stage) MS Total carbohydrates (maturity) MS Total proteins (vegetative stage) MS Total proteins (maturity) Ms no. of seeds/plant Ms total yield/plant Main effects IAA 2 0.365*** 0.002*** 0.037*** 0.001*** 0.114*** 0.010*** 0.038*** 9.836*** 254.75*** 941.194*** Boron (B) 1 0.921** 5.136** 0.081*** 0.001*** 0.646** 0.003** 0.018*** 3.546** 160.25** 810.25** Var 1 0.183** 7.933** 0.048*** 0.002*** 4.690*** 0.007*** 0.016*** 9.302** 358.027** 268.027** Interaction IAA x B 2 0.569** 0.003*** 0.051*** 7.457*** 0.047** 0.006** 0.020*** 8.310*** 142.75** 7.583** IAA x var 2 0.012** 0.003** 0.001*** 0.007*** 0.023*** 0.008** 0.030*** 2.657** 123.57*** 29.361*** Boron x var 1 1.225ns 0.004* 0.032*** 7.290*** 0.070** 5.522 ** 0.031*** 0.001** 306.25** 24.25** IAA x B x var 2 0.207** 6.203** 0.002*** 9.990*** 0.015*** 0.010 0.003*** 0.001*** 271.08** 14.083** Error 24 5.472 5.916 6.944 2.380 4.030 3.883 3.850 1.383 40.75 62.611 Total 35 Ns=Non Significant; *,**,***, significant at 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Hussain","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABEElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACCQkGxgMJbAwJYF4Cgw1EmAckhVsLA7KWNCK1MMC0MDAcJqxFcnbzgwMPyhjyDM4ff/jh4Y7zif38CxgfvG1jyJNswK5FWuaYwYGEcwzFBjdyjCUSz9xOnDnjAbPh3DaGYmkctshJJBgcSGxjSNxwg4dBIrHtNpBxgE2aFygyD6eW9A8QLeePP/6R2HYOpIX9Nz4t0hI5UFsOJJgBbTkA1NvAxgzSMhuX92fkFAD9IpE480aOmUViW7LxzBmMzZJzzkkU4/K+xI30jQ9/lNkk9gEddvNnm51sP//hgx/elNnkSRzAYQ1UJzI7EWS8RAJeDaiAH2I6KVpGwSgYBaNgeAMAQLpl3ZdM26wAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Khalid","middleName":"","lastName":"Hussain","suffix":""},{"id":452534736,"identity":"f3e1b767-e1f9-4d96-a00a-bf4d88771cf6","order_by":1,"name":"Hassnaina Ghaus","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hassnaina","middleName":"","lastName":"Ghaus","suffix":""},{"id":452534737,"identity":"745b57ef-866d-4783-8d1d-1d81995980b3","order_by":2,"name":"Meiyan Liu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Liaoning","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Meiyan","middleName":"","lastName":"Liu","suffix":""},{"id":452534738,"identity":"32d7e000-bf06-422c-9413-323f7db92f69","order_by":3,"name":"Khalid Nawaz","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Khalid","middleName":"","lastName":"Nawaz","suffix":""},{"id":452534739,"identity":"325a1fb6-9188-4400-aa73-1452e9580893","order_by":4,"name":"Noshia Arshad","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Noshia","middleName":"","lastName":"Arshad","suffix":""},{"id":452534741,"identity":"941694b7-857b-4969-906e-83a551f93042","order_by":5,"name":"Uswa Ali","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Uswa","middleName":"","lastName":"Ali","suffix":""},{"id":452534742,"identity":"2b970976-c185-495f-9120-0f26cf6ab102","order_by":6,"name":"Zahid Anwar","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zahid","middleName":"","lastName":"Anwar","suffix":""},{"id":452534744,"identity":"f7af67f2-0997-44c6-acd5-f5f84c089baa","order_by":7,"name":"Chen Liu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Liaoning","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Chen","middleName":"","lastName":"Liu","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-03-26 04:38:18","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6308550/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6308550/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07719-9","type":"published","date":"2025-11-26T15:58:14+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":82678093,"identity":"155c0c39-b1e9-498a-90ad-6c864feb8ed9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-14 05:04:12","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":103739,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect of IAA and Boron on the morphological attributes of maize (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZea mays\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e L.) at different growth stages\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/4a07c1a8d4bee65baf27721a.png"},{"id":82677819,"identity":"840ede7e-bc6d-49f3-b03c-718028f54f1d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-14 04:56:12","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":91050,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect of IAA and Boron on the growth attributes of maize (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZea mays\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e L.) at different growth stages\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/30384fa7a90ad1e9e94f4bc6.png"},{"id":82677820,"identity":"88855cb7-a43e-4184-9a27-6e394e63d184","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-14 04:56:12","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":120890,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect of IAA and Boron on the photosynthetic pigments of maize (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZea mays\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e L.) at different growth stages\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/bda81c7dd52092a2d6e76cdf.png"},{"id":82677829,"identity":"55281ed1-d67d-4348-87aa-442774c30b29","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-14 04:56:12","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":78116,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEffect of IAA and Boron on the quality and yield attributes of maize (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZea mays\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e L.) at different growth stages\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/449169eb54471766c339b681.png"},{"id":82677822,"identity":"fe919790-4aab-49ab-8041-089cffaac7ce","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-14 04:56:12","extension":"jpg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":202879,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAdditional Figure 1. Influence of IAA and Boron on Pak-Afgoi (V1)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Add1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/63833dc166b38f6d0af5743d.jpg"},{"id":82678097,"identity":"ced9cdd1-ebd6-476d-8b3a-4a981a7101db","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-14 05:04:12","extension":"jpg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":194167,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAdditional Figure 2. Influence of IAA and Boron on Golden Variety (V2)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Add2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/c4aeecc16b60a6644c13be0e.jpg"},{"id":97178523,"identity":"ac8bea13-c107-4284-98a1-31fc3568aa67","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-01 16:10:37","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2302755,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6308550/v1/79440175-1cfd-4d4e-b2e3-c0ca541695ce.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eStraight and Blended Applications of Iaa (Indole Acetic Acid) and Boron (B) for the Improvement of Crop Productivity in Maize (\u003cem\u003eZea Mays L.\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong cereal crops, \u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e L. (maize/corn) the member of Poaceae family is an essential annual cereal crop of the world. Maize is ranked at topmost regarding to its productivity and usage. Amongst the cereals maize is the first crop in the world regarding to its yield and production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. It is mainly used in the diet of human and other livestock feed mainly poultry. Diverse components that reduce the yield of maize are weeds impediment, low standard seed and deficiency of nutrients [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Maize cultivation is necessary because it provides several important food items prepared in the industry that\u0026rsquo;s why it has high demand [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt all growth stages maize is reactive to nutrients because it is a C\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e crop and with the sufficient supply of nutrients, it gives excessive production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Due to low organic matter and alkaline calcareous nature crops which are grown in arid or semi-arid regions reveal many nutrient deficiencies and low crop production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. The crops which are grown in rainfed soils of Pakistan have low amount of Zn and B as compared to those crops which are present in irrigated areas. There are different reasons for this deficiency. The main cause of crop deficiency is the low availability of irrigated water which is necessary for the crop plants to apply the nutrients in rainfed areas under field states. Secondly, most of the farmers of Pakistan do not apply the important micronutrients to the plants especially Zn and B that is causing the deficiency of these nutrients in the soil and crop production reduces [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMicronutrients (B, Zn, Co, Mn. Cu, Ni, Fe and Mo) are also essential in low amount but it performs a major role in crop production and these have utmost importance for development and growth of plants. Because micronutrients are not only required for increasing the grain yield but also play a significant role to improve the quality of seeds and grains [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. As to change quality, yield and better harvesting plant growth regulators can alter their structure and different life processes in same advantageous way. Then these growth factors can change their response according to the changes which produce in the environment and other physiological functions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the auxin class IAA (indole acetic acid) is the supreme plant hormone involved in growth. IAA performs a major role during cell division and elongation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. IAA motivates cell elongation which is a fundamental step in the cell enlargement. Majid et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e] found that IAA performs a vital role in activating the expansion of root system. Tiller growth and mass of spikes also increased by IAA application. If IAA is applied externally it can strongly upgrades the length of stem in pea plants and this elevation will be greater in dwarf plants. In crop plants it has been reported that IAA responds to salinity. Akbari et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e] suggested that the proper application of auxin can increase seedlings growth and height of wheat plants. For increasing crop production and development of foliage growth and seeds development auxins are used commercially. These are also used for the regulation of plant growth with the lateral root development [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. It was found that foliar applications of IAA improved the growth, seed size and grain yield production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoron is firmly allied with plant growth and development because have key role in cell division. Maize efficiency can be increased by Boron in high amount when it is applied in soil [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Micronutrients which are applied by foliar treatment show 6 to 20 times more convenient response than the soil supplication and enhance nutrition [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Maize food and fodder yield can be enhanced by the foliar applications of B at premature, central and later growth phases along with suggested dosage of NPK [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Boron has effect on the plant metabolism, cell membrane and the structure of cell wall. Due to this effect in some crops it is also helped to reduce the disease toxicity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. By raising the vascular system of plants and giving stability to the cell wall and membrane B decreased the effect of pathogens [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. In the light of above mentioned description, this study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of IAA and Boron to find its best concentration that can be useful to enhance the growth and yield of maize because in the past there is no study for the efficacy of blended applications of IAA and B in maize.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cp\u003eExperiments were carried out at University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan. There were two varieties of maize (Pak-Afgoi and Golden) used in this study. Seeds were taken from the Department of Agriculture Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. Seeds were sown in plastic pots of 30cm filled with 10kg of sandy loam soil and 5 plants were kept in each pot. Pots were kept in green house having 25% humidity, temperature 25-30\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. All the agronomic practices were applied as recommended by Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), Pakistan for maize crop. Six treatments of IAA and Boron (blended and straight) were applied after 14 days of germination. These levels of IAA and B have not been studied so far. The treatments were:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo =\u0026thinsp;Control\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20 ppm IAA\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30 ppm IAA\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20 ppm Boron\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20 ppm IAA\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;20 ppm Boron\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30 ppm IAA\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;30ppm Boron\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the treatments were applied as foliar spray in single dose. Experiment was conducted in CRD (completely randomized design) with 3 replicates. Data was collected at two different growth stages i.e. 21 days (vegetative) and 128 days after treatment (maturity) for biochemical, physiological and yield characteristics. Lengths of shoot and root were measured from the tip of the shoot using meter scale. These plants were weighed with electrical balance separately for shoot and root and it was oven dried at 65\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003eC for four days. After that the weights of root and shoot were noted by electrical balance. Carleton and Foote [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e] formula was used to calculate the leaf area of the plant by multiplying leaf length with width and correction factor (0.75)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelative Growth Rate (RGR) was calculated with the help of given below formula RGR was recorded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRGR= \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\frac{1}{\\text{W}}\\times\\:\\frac{\\varDelta\\:\\text{W}}{\\varDelta\\:\\text{T}}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhere,\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eW\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Weight of dry shoot at initial stages\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e∆W\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Weight of dry shoot at final stage \u0026ndash; weight of dry shoot at initial stage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e∆T\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Number of days between initial as well as final stage\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNet Assimilation Rate (g/cm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/day) with the help of given below formula.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNAR= \u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\:\\frac{\\text{W}2-\\text{W}1}{\\text{T}2-\\text{T}1}\\times\\:\\frac{\\text{log}\\text{L}2-\\text{l}\\text{o}\\text{g}\\text{L}1}{\\text{L}2-\\text{L}1}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere, W\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;weight of dry shoot at final stage\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eW\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;weight of dry shoot at initial stage\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eL\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Leaf area at final stage\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eL\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Leaf area at initial stage\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Number of days of final stage\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eT\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Number of days of initial stage\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChlorophyll and Carotenoid Contents (mg/g) were determined using Arnon [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e] method. Determination of antioxidant activities for CAT (Catalase) and POD (Peroxidase) was done by the procedure of Chance and Maethly [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e] method. Total Carbohydrates (mg/ml) were estimated by following the Krishnaveni et al. [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. For the estimation for total protein Bradford [\u003cspan class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e] method was used. Number of seeds/cob were counted and the mean value was calculated of each treatment that were weighted at electrical balance to calculate the total yield/plant.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVariance Analysis (ANOVA) was employed to find the effects of treatment using Minitab software. Mean values were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability level.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eGrowth Parameters\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt was noted from the mean sequares calculated from ANOVA that IAA applications were highly significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.001) for all the foliage growth attributes of maize as root and shoot lengths and fresh and dry weights. Applications of Boron (B) had also signifcant effect except for shoot and root lengths at vegetative stage (Table-1). Varietial response was also higly signifcant. Similarly, intercations among various factors (IAAxB, IAAxV, IAAx B xV) were also higly signifcant. Maxium increase for all the growth characters was present in variety Golden at maturity stage except shoot dry weight at vegetaive stage in variety Pak-Afgoi (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Data presented in table-2 showed that effect of IAA was highly significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.001) for root fresh and dry weights, number of leaves, leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR), while Boron had varation in results that were non siginficant to highly significant effects. RGR and NAR had highly significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.001) results for Boron. Variety Pak-Afgoi had higher RGR in repsones to IAA and Boron while NAR was higher in variety Golden (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). All the growth characters were increased with the applications of IAA and B. Blended applications of IAA and B showed higher foliage growth charateristics as acomapred to other treatments.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePhotosynthetic Pigments\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResults given in table-3 for chlorophylls and carotenoides showed that the effect of IAA was highly significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.001) in two varieteis of maize but B had signifcant effects for most of the attributes. There were sigificant variations between both maize varieties in repspose to IAA and B. Chl.a, b, total chl. and carotenoides contents were siginicantly incresaed in both varieties of maize (Fig.\u0026nbsp;3). Maxium increase in photosynthetic pigments were noted in variety Pak-Afgoi at vegetative stage with bleded applications of IAA and B.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAntioxidant activities, quality and yield attributes\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean sequares calculated from ANOVA given in table-4 revealed that IAA and B had highly significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.00) effects on catalases, peroxidases, total carbohydrates and proteins and yield characters of maize. Varietal reponse, interactions among all the factors was also highly significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.001). Antioxidant activities (catalases, peroxidases) and yield was incresaed with the applications of IAA and B. Maximum increase in catalases and peroxidases was noted in variety Pak-Afgoi at vegetative stage with blended applications of IAA with B. Number of seeds/cob and total yield was also increased by IAA and B. Maximum incresae was noted in variety Golden (Fig.\u0026nbsp;4).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe findings of this study demonstrated that IAA has positively influenced the growth of maize. The maize plants experienced a significant increase in growth as a result of enhanced cell division and elongation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. IAA has a significant impact on plant growth by influencing cell growth and promoting cell division [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. The reasons can be ascribed that IAA is the only naturally occurring major auxins that increases stem elongation, cell expansion and growth rate [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Hadi [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e] confirmed that with the foliar spray of IAA the shoot length of a plant can be increased. The plant height of maize exhibited a substantial rise with the application of increasing IAA. Basnet et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e] also found similar outcomes in terms of plant height enhancement and reduction in flower drop in mungbean. According to Lobo et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e], the use of IAA had a positive impact on the growth characteristics of tomato plants. The improvement in plant height of maize was occurred due to application of boron (B) because it increased the internodal length of plant by increasing number of cells as it is known that the boron is associated with the development of cell wall and cell differentiation and hence, helps in shoot growth of plant [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e]. Boron is a crucial component for the development of plants. It participates in several processes, such as sugar transport, lignification, cell wall structure, carbohydrate metabolism, RNA metabolism, respiration, IAA metabolism, phenolic and ascorbate metabolism [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe use of IAA and Boron resulted in a larger leaf area for maize plants. This was in conformity with the findings of Baz et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. They reported that plants treated with foliar sprays of IAA showed pronounced increase in their leaf area. Ahmed et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e] emphasized the importance of boron application at different rates and observed substantial enhancements in growth indices. Lim et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e] observed that foliar spray of IAA and Boron improve rate of chlorophyll pigments in plants and also useful for slowing down the process of leaf damage, while on the other hand decomposition in plants photosynthesis was reported under the application of ethylene and jasmonates. Leite et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e] found that chlorophyll content was increased by applying IAA therefore foliar use of IAA increased leaf area in soyabean. According to Kaya et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e] applications of IAA to the leaves of plants leads to an increase in chlorophyll content.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSynkova et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e] narrated that antioxidant activities (CAT, POD) were high by the use of plants growth regulators (IAA) that also control the activation of organogenesis. It was reported that micronutrient as Boron (B) also increased the Catalase activities in plants. It may be much beneficial for plants to eliminate the oxidative stress [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. In maize plants foliar application of IAA in different concentration was showed highly significant result. Khalid et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e] noted that POD activities were reduced due to low passage through cell wall but when the concentration of IAA was increased POD activity was highly improved to initiate the ability of manufacturing. IAA activates the translocation of carbohydrates during their synthesis [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. Boron has also a positive role in the synthesis of nucleic acids, carbohydrate metabolism and transport from source to sink, and total plant biomass [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e] due to the increase in enzyme activity and carbon assimilation as well as sugar and carbohydrate metabolism [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. Boron has been discovered to have a significant impact on the process of nitrogen metabolism and assimilation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. Bayar et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e] observed that foliar application of Boron and IAA on corn resulted in higher amount of protein synthesis and plant yield. Boron is crucial for the reproduction and growth of corn plants.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study concluded that the blended foliar application of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and boron significantly enhanced maize growth and yield compared to straight treatments. Furthermore, among the maize varieties tested, the Golden variety exhibited superior responsiveness to the combined IAA and boron treatment, indicating its potential for higher productivity under these applications. ​It is recommended to apply Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and boron in combination, as this blended application has been shown to more effectively enhance maize growth and yield compared to individual treatments.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eIAA\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndole Acetic Acid\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eB\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoron\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eRGR\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRelative Growth Rate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eNAR\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNet Assimilation Rate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eCAT\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCatalases\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003ePOD\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeroxidases\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003ePPM\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParts per million\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u003c/strong\u003e The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors declare no conflict of interest\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;Funding Open access funding provided by the authors.\u003c/strong\u003e Liaoning Provincial Scientific Research Funding Project (LJKMZ20221007)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors' contributions:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKhalid Hussain, Meiyan Liu \u0026amp; Hassnaina Ghausdesigned and performed the experiments. Khalid Nawaz analyzed the data. Noshia Arshad and Uswa Ali wrote the research paper. Zahid Anwarhelped in data analysis and proof reading.Chen Liuco-supervised and provided financial support\u003csup\u003e.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003eAll authors reviewed the manuscript.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u003c/strong\u003e Not applicable.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParedes P, de Melo-Abreu JP, Alves I, Pereira LS. Assessing the performance of the FAO AquaCrop model to estimate maize yields and water use under full and deficit irrigation with focus on model parameterization. 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Pol J Environ Stud. 2024;33(3):3079\u0026ndash;89. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/177183\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.15244/pjoes/177183\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable-1: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for foliage growth in two maize varieties (\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"724\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSource of variance\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003edf\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS shoot length (vegetative stage)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS shoot length (maturity)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS root length (vegetative stage)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS root length (maturity)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS shoot fresh weight (vegetative stage)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS shoot fresh weight (maturity)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS shoot dry weight (vegetative stage)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMS shoot dry weight (maturity)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMain effects\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIAA \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e155.718**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e193.277***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e149.936***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.625***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.016***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.891*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.648***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.294*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBoron \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; (B) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e47.61ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e565.646**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.44ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61.622***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;4.444ns \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e45.292***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.132 **\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.744**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVar\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e174.24**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1340.780***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98.671***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.366**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;5.428*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e255.466*** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;25.942 **\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.183*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInteraction\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIAA x B \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e209.130***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e704.238***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68.525***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.205**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.550** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 56.411***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 8.092** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5.096**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIAA x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.705ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.980ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.735**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e64.583***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.414*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 8.919***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;2.112*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7.069***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBoron x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e133.787**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e89.302***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.137ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e164.266***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.067*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;24.933***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.006 ns\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;3.228**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIAA x B x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e86.813*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e426.985**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e81.618***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e42.725***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.439*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 18.884***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;8.976** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 4.539***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eError\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.820\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.599\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.7575\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.055\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;5.083\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.140\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.073\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.073\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable-2: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for growth attributes in two maize varieties (\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"762\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource of variance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edf\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS root fresh weight (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS root fresh weight (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS root dry weight (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS root dry weight (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS no. of leaves/plant (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS no. of leaves/plant (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS leaf area/plant (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS leaf area/plant (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS RGR\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS NAR\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain effects\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.574***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;3.137*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.252***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.644*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.777**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.694* \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;326.785***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;949.561***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;4.810***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.058***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoron \u0026nbsp;(B) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.016ns \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.969***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;6.934*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.009ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.25 ns\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.361ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;868.480***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e142.319***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.492**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.011***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVar\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.401***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.376***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.026ns \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.084**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.027ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.25 \u0026nbsp; ***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;540.040***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e568.801***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e16.875*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.072***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInteraction\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x B \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.350*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3.733***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2.995*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.423**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1.333** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7.194***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 109.173*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 892.333***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6.078***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.031***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.012*** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5.943**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.648*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2.788***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.777 \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2.25**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;137.494*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 578.790***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.927ns\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.037*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoron x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.176* \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;4.752***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.084ns \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.472ns\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.027ns \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.25ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;316.771***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;627.571***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.228***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.004*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x B x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.476** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 17.459**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.156ns \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.042**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.444* \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1.75*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;165.146***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 128.717***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 11.922***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.002***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eError\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.015\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.016\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.055\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.083\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.333\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;6.232\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51.479\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.330***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;7.510\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.6907%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 8.3429%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable-3: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for photosynthetic pigments in two maize varieties (\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"642\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource of variance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edf\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Chl-a contents \u0026nbsp;(vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Chl-a contents \u0026nbsp;(maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Chl-b contents \u0026nbsp;(vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Chl-b contents \u0026nbsp;(maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Total chl. contents \u0026nbsp;(vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Total chl. contents \u0026nbsp;(maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS carotenoids \u0026nbsp;contents \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS carotenoids \u0026nbsp;contents \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain effects\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;3.321***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;9.181*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;7.288ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;5.365** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;6.890***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.002*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;3.469***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;2.912*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoron \u0026nbsp;(B) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;8.702ns \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.769*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;9.915**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.029**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;7.008**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.076ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.001*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVar\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;9.537**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.478***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.651ns\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.378*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.004**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004 \u0026nbsp;**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.319**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.990** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInteraction\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x B \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 5.677**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2.111**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 4.556*\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1.200**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.002***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.005***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1.985**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3.787**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;3.389*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1.144**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.048 *** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 9.817***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.001 ***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.002**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;2.346 ** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 4.017**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoron x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.029*\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.056*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 2.548** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.013**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.006***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.997***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.814**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.265**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x B x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;7.503**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 3.221**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;5.925**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 1.810**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.001***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.005***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.900**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2.819**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eError\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;3.684\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.616\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.045\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;8.130\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;1.806\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;2.350\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;3.395\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1.846\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNs=Non Significant; *,**,***, significant at 0.05, 0.01 and \u0026nbsp; 0.001, respectively\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable-4: Mean squares from analysis of variance (ANOVA) for antioxidant, quality and yield attributes in two maize varieties (\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c/em\u003e L.) when subjected to IAA and Boron\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"747\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource of variance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edf\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Catalases \u0026nbsp; (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Catalases (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Peroxidases \u0026nbsp; (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Peroxidases (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Total carbohydrates \u0026nbsp;(vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Total carbohydrates \u0026nbsp;(maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Total proteins (vegetative stage)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMS Total proteins (maturity)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMs no. of seeds/plant\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMs total yield/plant\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMain effects\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.365***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.002*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.037*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.001*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.114***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.010***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.038***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;9.836*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;254.75***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;941.194***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoron \u0026nbsp;(B) \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.921**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.136**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.081***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.646** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.003**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.018*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.546**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;160.25**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;810.25**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVar\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.183**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.933**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.048***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.002***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;4.690***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.007***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.016***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.302**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;358.027**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;268.027**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInteraction\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x B \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.569**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.003***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.051***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7.457***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.047** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.006**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.020*** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 8.310***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 142.75**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 7.583**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.012** \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.003**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.001***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.007***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.023*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.008**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;0.030*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 2.657**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e123.57*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.361*** \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoron x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 1.225ns \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.032***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.290***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.070** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;5.522 **\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.031*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 306.25**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 24.25**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIAA x B x var \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.207** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 6.203**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.002***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 9.990***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.015***\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.010\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;0.003*** \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 0.001***\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 271.08**\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 14.083**\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eError\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;5.472\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.916\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;6.944\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.380\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;4.030\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.883\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;3.850\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.383\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;40.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 62.611\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNs=Non Significant; *,**,***, significant at 0.05, 0.01 and \u0026nbsp; 0.001, respectively\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-plant-biology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"pbio","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Plant Biology](http://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/pbio/default.aspx","title":"BMC Plant Biology","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"IAA, boron, maize, growth, yield, antioxidants, blended","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6308550/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6308550/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eIndole Acetic Acid (IAA), a plant growth regulator, is well-known for enhancing crop growth and yield. Similarly, micronutrients like Boron (B) play a crucial role in the healthy development of crops. While the individual (straight) applications of IAA and B have been extensively studied in maize, their combined (blended) application has not been reported for this crop, revealing a significant research gap. To address this, a series of experiments were conducted at the University of Gujrat, Pakistan, using two maize varieties: Pak-Afgoi and Golden. Six different levels of IAA and B were applied as foliar sprays (straight and blended), 21 days after germination. The results demonstrated that foliar applications of IAA and B significantly improved the growth and productivity of maize plants. The most pronounced improvements in morphological traits\u0026mdash;such as plant height, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, number of leaves, leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR) were observed at a concentration of 30 ppm IAA and Boron (blended). Furthermore, applications of IAA and B enhanced the physiological and biochemical parameters, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, antioxidant enzyme activities i.e. catalases (CAT) and peroxidases (POD), as well as carbohydrate and protein contents. Yield related traits, such as the number of cobs and seeds per plant and overall grain yield were also positively influenced by IAA and B. Among the two varieties, the Golden variety outperformed Pak-Afgoi in growth and yield. In conclusion, the foliar applications of IAA combination with Boron (blended) proved to be more effective than their individual applications (straight), suggesting that their synergistic effect can be utilized to enhance the morphological, physiological, and yield attributes of maize.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Straight and Blended Applications of Iaa (Indole Acetic Acid) and Boron (B) for the Improvement of Crop Productivity in Maize (Zea Mays L.)","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-14 04:56:07","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6308550/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-09-26T08:56:41+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-26T07:50:21+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"300860837342520042712913484839121101278","date":"2025-09-26T07:43:21+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-05-23T12:32:08+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"302414064812579836784469293904306785275","date":"2025-05-18T07:10:08+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"55468023662267496131502953961445872769","date":"2025-05-15T06:18:27+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-06T06:05:53+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-04-16T05:31:05+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-04-15T04:49:39+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Plant Biology","date":"2025-04-15T04:48:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-plant-biology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"pbio","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Plant Biology](http://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/pbio/default.aspx","title":"BMC Plant Biology","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"2b378399-8e6c-46ef-a180-a2573041ac94","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 14th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-01T16:03:18+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6308550","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07719-9","journal":{"identity":"bmc-plant-biology","isVorOnly":false,"title":"BMC Plant Biology"},"publishedOn":"2025-11-26 15:58:14","publishedOnDateReadable":"November 26th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-14 04:56:07","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s12870-025-07719-9","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-07719-9","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6308550","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6308550","identity":"rs-6308550","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}