Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is vital grain crop. It is Pakistan's third largest cereal crop after rice and wheat. Drought is one of the ways that climate fluctuations disturb growth and yield liable on the intensity of the period and the developmental time of the crop. In dry and semiarid areas, where plants are frequently subjected to phases of water shortage stress, which is one of the key causes of crop loss in the whole world, drought stress is thought to be the principal issue controlling plant growth. Plants have complicated reactions to drought, and it sounds that drought stress impairs a number of physiological and metabolic functions. It is noteworthy that under conditions of dryness, active oxygen species such as superoxide (O2) and Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radicals can develop. It results in oxidative loss to the photosynthetic apparatus and alters essential cellular macromolecules through an increase in the loss of electrons by molecular oxygen. Ascorbic acid helps to relieve this stress. Vitamin C is known as ascorbic acid. It plays an essential part in the phytochrome mediated signaling process and functions as both an antioxidant and a cofactor for several enzymatic activities. Ascorbic acid aids in the recovery of damaged cells and the immune system by shielding cellular organelles from reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing cell death. The Sdg 2002 and MMRI Yellow, two kinds of maize (Zea mays L.), were raised in pots in the Old Botanical Garden at the University of agriculture Faisalabad. Drought stress was maintained at 50% FC after one week of germination. Ascorbic acid was injected into soil medium as a solution to investigate its efficacy as a growth hormone for maize. By applying two different ascorbic acid concentrations (100 ppm and 200 ppm) to maize plants, the concentration of ascorbic acid that was most beneficial was determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in combination with COSTAT software to statistically assess data for a number of growth and physiological parameters. Under drought stress, ascorbic acid was demonstrated to be useful in accelerating maize growth. Numerous parameters, including shoot length and root length, dry and fresh mass, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, calcium, and potassium levels showed a significant improvement. Activity of antioxidants were also measured.
Page(s):
124-124
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023