Abstract

The effect of spraying maleic hydrazide at three concentrations viz., 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm on the 15th. 30th and 45th day after sowing in CS 3541, male parent of CSH5 Sorghum hybrid, either once or twice was observed on plant height. number of leaves, dia- meter of culm. area of 4th leaf. days to panicle emergence. panicle length and pollen sterility. It was found that with increase in the concentrations of the chemical, significant reductions in height of plant, area of 4th leaf and length of panicle were observed. Spray- ing on the 5th day as against 30th or 45th day reduced the height. leaf number, culm diameter, leaf area and panicle length to the maximum. Spraying on 45th day. at 2000 ppm delayed the flowering by 8.83 days but the pollen fertility was reduced by 32.71 per cent whereas, at 500 ppm. flowering was delayed by 4.66 days with no ill-effects on pollen fertility.

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