Abstract:
Drought is considered as one of the significant threats to food security worldwide as it inhibits the growth, yield and quality of economically important crops. An increase in crop yield is considered a tremendous achievement as it will be helpful to meet the current growing demand for food in drought-stressed areas. Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant component in the soil that can enhance plant tolerance against drought stress. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliarly applied Si on morpho-physiological attributes and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under drought stress. For this purpose plants were subjected to water deficit (100%, 50% and 75% F.C) in a glasshouse for 3 weeks after seedling development and Si (0, 2, 4, 6 mM) was applied foliarly on plants for 3 times after the onset of drought symptoms. However, it was observed that foliar application of Si at 4mM showed more positive results contrast to other levels. The results showed that by foliar application of Si shoot length was increased upto 19% in controlled, 17% in 50% F.C. and 11% in 75% F.C., root length was increased by 27%, 23% and 26%, shoot weight by 20% , 24% and 27%, leaf area was enhanced upto 14%, 13% and 16% and grain yield by 9%, 8% and 11% correspondingly. In conclusion, foliar spray of Si in the right quantities found effective to reduce the drastic effect of drought stress on maize plants and for greatest improvement of crop growth and yield.
Page(s):
76-76
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Second International Conference on Recent Approaches in Plant Sciences (RAPS-23) 4-5 May 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
maize
,
Growth
,
silicon
,
Drought
,
Morphophysiological attributes