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 and A. Sher
Department of Agronomy, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
Corresponding Author E-mail: Qayyum00818@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
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: Drought, Salicylic Acid, L-Tryptophan, Foliar Application, Maize. |