Growth improvement in spring maize through exogenous application of ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide

Ijaz Ahmad*, Shahzad M.A. Basra, Irfan Afzal, M. Farooq, Abdul Wahid

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Early plantation of spring maize crop is practiced to avoid heat stress during seed set but low temperature causes poor and erratic stand establishment. Foliar application of antioxidants, plant growth regulators and osmoprotectant can improve early seedling growth. Foliar spray of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) @ 20 and 40mg L-1 was applied on spring maize seedlings at 3rd leaf stage. Foliar application improved shoot and root lengths, which was associated with higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), chlorophyll and nutrients contents. A positive correlation was observed between shoot length and shoot N, P and K contents, leaf SOD and chlorophyll contents, while root length was positively correlated with root N, P and K contents. It is concluded that early seedling establishment can be improved by exogenous application of AsA, SA and H2O2 owing to enhanced antioxidants defense system and nutrient homeostasis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-100
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Agriculture and Biology
Volume15
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Foliar spray
  • Maize
  • Nutrients
  • Superoxide dismutase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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