Phosphorus application improves grain yield in low phytic acid maize synthetic populations

Maize mutants with low phytic acid have a compromised overall agronomic performance that results in low yields. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of P (18, 26 and 34 mg/kg) on the agronomic performance of low and high phytic acid (LPA and HPA) maize synthetic populations of tropical origin, compared to two commercial hybrids (SC701 and LS8520). Subsequently, a germination test was performed on the seeds produced from the different levels of P fertilizer application rates. The germination test was conducted in the laboratory, using a germination paper towel, while the agronomic study was conducted in a controlled environment. The measured parameters included days to 50% flowering, plant height, and grain yield, as well as the final germination and germination velocity index. The results found that the grain yield increased by 1.30, 0.51, 2.41 and 1.87 t/ha in LPA, HPA, SC701 and LS8520, from the application of 18–26 mg/kg of P, respectively. However, there were non-significant differences (p > 0.05) in the grain yields of all varieties at a P application of 26 and 34 mg/kg. The final germination increased by 4% and 2% in LPA and LS8520, respectively, with the increase in the P application rate being from 18 to 26 mg/kg. However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in the final germination percentage of all varieties at 26 mg/kg of P. This study indicated that the optimum application of P at planting enhances the overall performance of the LPA maize synthetic population to a level that is comparable to commercially-grown varieties.