Maize Yield and Quality as Affected by Salicylic or Ascorbic Acids under Irrigation Regimes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Agronomy Dept, Fac of Agric, Ain Shams Univ, P.O. Box 68–Hadayek Shubra 11241, Cairo, Egypt

2 Botany Dept, National Research Centre, P.O. Box 12622–Dokki, El–Behos St. Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Appropriate methods should be implemented to address water scarcity in dry and semi-dry areas worldwide. Thus, the current study assessed the potential of salicylic (SA) and ascorbic (AsA) acids in enhancing maize tolerance to drought. In a strip-plots design, three irrigation regimes (70%, 85% and 100% of crop water requirements, designated as I70%, I85% and I100%, respectively) and three anti-stress treatments (SA 150 mg L-1, AsA 150 mg L-1, and control treatment, CK) were applied in three replicates. Findings revealed that SA and AsA enhanced plant pigments under moderate or severe drought, surpassing the corresponding control. A reduction in proline concentration was observed under I70% and I85% with the application of SA or AsA. Both SA and AsA recorded the highest values of 100-grain weight and grain yield under severe drought. The most effective combinations for achieving the highest values were I70% × SA (for crude protein percentage) and I100% × SA or AsA (for carbohydrates percentage). It can be concluded that maize in arid climates can be treated with salicylic acid (150 mg L-1) to achieve satisfactory yield and quality, especially during moderate deficit irrigation. 

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