Abstract:
Heavy metal stress is one of the key factors that limit crop growth and yield in the world. Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) are non-essential and hazardous heavy metals present in the environment. Maize is a source of food for humans and animals as it has adequate nutritive values. In the region of Southern Punjab mainly to feed the growing population, maize is being cultivated on the metal polluted soils. Salicylic acid (SA) is believed to be a plant hormone that plays a significant role in plant growth, development, and resistance to abiotic stresses. To reveal the toxic alleviation effect of SA on maize plants under the Cd and Cr stresses, the morphological and anatomical parameters were evaluated in maize plants. RCBD design with five replications was used for this study. Plants were treated with 50, 100, 150 and 200 µM concentrations of both metals alone and with the foliar application of 100 µM SA concentration (50ml/ Plant) succeeding the experimental design as: T0 (Control), T1 (50 µM metal), T2 (100µM metal), T3 (150 µM metal), T4 (200 µM metal), T5 (50 µM metal + 100 µM SA), T6 (100µM +100 µM SA), T7 (150 µM metal+ 100 µM SA), T8 (200 µM metal +100 µM SA). Results showed that both Cd and Cr stresses with the increasing concentrations from 50 to 200 µM reduced the morphological and anatomical parameters of maize plant. 200 µM concentrations of both metals rigorously influence the plants growth parameters. The negative effect of both metals is more obvious on the root than stem and leaves. Salicylic acid efficiently lessened the metal tension by enhancing all the morphoanatomical attributes of plant at all metal concentrations. SA at 50 µM metal concentration enhanced the majority of growth attributes more than the control plants. Among the morphological parameters, plant height, root length, leaf area, fresh and dry weight is efficiently improved by the SA under the stress of both metals above the control. Metals stress reduced the thickness and cell areas of plant tissues which is remarkably promoted by the SA as a strategy to lessen the metal deposition into the plant cells and organelles. SA application under the both metals stress especially at low concentrations notably enhanced the epidermal, cortical and vascular bundle thickness in the stem, epidermal and cortical thickness and cell areas, pericycle and vascular bundle cell areas in the root above the control plants. Leaf midrib area, lamina and mesophyll thickness boosted above the control plants by SA under the Cr stress more efficiently, while leaf epidermal and cortical cell area more significantly improved by SA under the low concentration of Cd stress. Taken together, it is directed that exogenous SA can play a positive regulatory role in relieving metal toxicity in the maize plants.
Page(s):
141-141
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
Chromium
,
Salicylic Acid Application
,
Cadmium Stresses
,
Maize Plant