A field trial was conducted to investigate the influence of humic acid and foliar salicylic acid application on phenology and dry matter partitioning of maize at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar during summer 2021. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design using three replications. The experiment consisted of two factors: humic acid levels (0, 05, 10, and 15 kg ha^-1) and foliar salicylic acid application (0, 250, 500, and 750 mg L^-1). Humic acid was applied to the soil at the time of sowing, while salicylic acid was sprayed on foliar at V8 stage of the maize crop. Humic acid and salicylic acid application significantly affected the phenological and dry matter partitioning parameters of maize crops. Among the humic acid levels, maximum days to tasseling (59), days to silking (66), days to physiological maturity (104), leaf area plant^-1 (5942 cm²), leaf area index (3.0), stem dry weight at silking (89.4 g plant^-1), leaves dry weight at silking (33.7 g plant^-1), ear dry weight at silking (38.1 g plant^-1), stem dry weight at physiological maturity (63.2 g plant^-1), leaves dry weight at physiological maturity (30.9 g plant^-1) and ear dry weight at physiological maturity (159.0 g plant^-1) were recorded with the application of 15 kg ha^-1. In the case of the foliar salicylic acid application, maximum days to tasseling (59), days to silking (65), days to physiological maturity (104), leaf area plant^-1 (6163 cm²) and leaf area index (3.0), stem dry weight at silking (92.1 g plant^-1), leaves dry weight at silking (32.6 g plant^-1), ear dry weight at silking (37.1 g plant^-1), stem dry weight at physiological maturity (63.6 g plant^-1), leaves dry weight at physiological maturity (29.8 g plant^-1) and ear dry weight at physiological maturity (159.5 g plant^-1) were recorded with 750 mg L^-1 foliar spray on maize. It was concluded from the experiment that application of humic acid at the rate of 15 kg ha^-1 and foliar salicylic acid application at the rate of 750 mg L^-1 delayed maize phenology and improved dry matter partitioning of maize at silking and physiological maturity stage in the agro-ecological conditions of the Peshawar region.

Keywords: Humic acid, Salicylic acid, Phenology, Dry matter partitioning, Maize