ROLE OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF SALICYLIC ACID AND L-TRYPTOPHAN IN DROUGHT TOLERANCE OF MAIZE - S. R. Rao; A. Qayyum; A. Razzaq; M. Ahmad; I. Mahmood; A. Sher (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2012)
Yield of maize is adversely affected by drought. Exogenous application of different chemicals may reduce stress induced inhibition of plant growth. A pot experiment was conducted to determine drought mitigating effect of Salicylic acid and L-Tryptophan. Maize seeds were sown in pots filled with soil. Salicylic acid and L-Tryptophan were sprayed at 3-4 leaves stage @ 100, 150, 200 ppm and 5, 10, 15 ppm, respectively. Drought stress was induced by with holding water after five days of Salicylic acid and L-Tryptophan application. Significantly higher relative water content, leaf membrane stability index, chlorophyll and potassium content were found in plants treated with 100 ppm Salicylic acid and 15 ppm L-Tryptophan compared with other treatments and control plants. Results suggest that foliar application of Salicylic acid and L-Tryptophan can play a role to reduce the effect of drought in maize.
Keywords: journal article; Drought; Salicylic Acid; L-Tryptophan; Foliar Application; Maize