The Effects of Water Deficit Stress, Cold Shock and Salicylic Acid on Maize Hybrids Growth Parameters

Author: Mohsen Tarighaleslami*, Mohammad Kafi*, Ahmad Nezami* and Reza Zarghami**

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Abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of cold and water deficit stress as well as salicylic acid foliar application on growth parameters of maize hybrids an experiment was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran in 2014 and 2015. The results revealed that in both years there was no difference between cold stressed and none stressed plants in terms of growth parameters. In all hybrids, the crop growth rate and dry matter accumulation significantly decreased through reducing leaf expansion caused by severe water deficit stress (50% of water requirement). The maximum leaf area index (3.48) was found in single cross 704, grown under full irrigation condition. Stress induction at seedling and fast growing stages, increased crop growth rate and relative growth rate at the end of growing period. Salicylic acid application increased leaf area and dry matter production and could improve growth parameters under stress conditions.

Keywords

Maize, Crop growth rate, Net assimilation rate, Leaf area index, Dry matter

Conclusion

Early seed sowing and cold stress showed no negative effects on growth parameters. Early sowing improved growth parameters under cold stress conditions. Generally, we can conclude that water deficit stress, especially during reproductive stage, had negative effects on growth parameters and finally seed yield. Reduction in leaf number and leaf area due to water deficit stress is a result of reduced cell division. In general, according to the results, it seems that application of salicylic acid could improve growth parameters in maize and increase water deficit tolerance.

References

Maize (Zea mays L.) commonly known as corn, is a grain plant belonging to the Poaceae family. Maize has a relatively short growth period; however, it is recognized as a high yield crop. Maize is also known as the second crop in the word in terms of production per cultivation area after wheat and the third crop in the world in terms of cultivation area after wheat and rice (FAO, 2014). Maize cultivation area in Iran is increasing over the years. In 2014, grain maize and forage maize covered an area of thousand hectares and 203 thousand hectares, respectively and produced 1.7 million ton grain and 9.8 million ton forage. According to the statistics (2014), maize cultivation area and production in Razavi Khorasan Province, located in Northeast of Iran, were reported as 16.5,000 hectare and 762.7 ton, respectively. Maize is native to tropical regions so it is a cold sensitive plant. Nevertheless, early seed sowing in spring conserves the crop against pests and diseases as well as heat wave

How to cite this article

Mohsen Tarighaleslami, Mohammad Kafi, Ahmad Nezami and Reza Zarghami (2017). The Effects of Water Deficit Stress, Cold Shock and Salicylic Acid on Maize Hybrids Growth Parameters . Biological Forum – An International Journal 9(2): 155-171.