Effect of Salicylic Acid on Growth and Forage and Grain Yield of Maize under Drought Stress in Field Conditions

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Abstract

Drought stress limits crop productivity and salicylic acid (SA) application alleviates stresses in plants. In present research the interactive effects of drought stress and SA was studied on growth, forage and grain yield of maize hybrid (Double Cross 370) in research field of Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran in 2006 growing season. Irrigation intervals 7 day as control and 10 day as drought stress was considered as main plots and 0.1 mM SA application control, seed soaking, spray at 3-4 leaf stage, spray at anthesis, seed soaking + spray at anthesis and spray at 3-4 leaf stage + spray at anthesis as sub plots. Drought stress, reduced chlorophyll, relative water content (RWC), fresh and dry weight of forage and increased electrolyte leakage. On the contrary, SA increased chlorophyll, RWC, forage dry weight and reduced electrolyte leakage. The most effective treatment was seed soaking. Interaction of drought stress and SA was significant for plant height, 1000 kernel weight, grain yield and harvest index. Seed soaking treatment, increased grain yield under stress and non-stress conditions. However, it is concluded that SA significantly alleviated drought stress and increased yield in maize Double Cross 370.

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Seed and Plant Production Journal
Volume 27, Issue 1
August 2011
Pages 41-55

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