TRIA-mediated Physio-morphological and Biochemical Growth Regulation in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Moisture Deficit Stress

Author: Shil S., Rambabu B., Kishore P.S. and Dewanjee S.

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Abstract

Triacontanol [CH3(CH2)28CH2OH] a novel plant growth regulator found in epicuticular waxes of several plants. Tricontanol (TRIA)-mediated augment in maize dry matter production as influenced by the inter-relationship between primary and secondary metabolism as well as enhanced biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Moreover, TRIA also plays an imperative role in alleviating the moisture stress-accrued alterations in maize crops via modulating the activation of the stress tolerance mechanisms. Triacontanol (TRIA) when applied to maize plants as a foliar spray results a noteworthy augment in physio-biochemical growth and also induce drought tolerance. To explore such growth responses as well as alleviation of moisture stress in maize mediated by TRIA an exogenous application of TRIA in different concentration viz., T1 (1500ppm), T2 (2000ppm) and T3 (2500ppm) have been done at 30DAS, 60DAS (initiation of tasseling stage) and 90DAS under normal watering (Control that set at 100% of the field capacity) and watering at 60% field capacity (moderate drought stress). Among the three treatments, T3 exhibited more beneficial effect to regulate the physio-biochemical growth in maize and also mitigate the drought stress followed by T2. However, T1 also have exhibited slight beneficial effect to mediate growth regulation as well as to improve the drought tolerance in maize. On an overall observation, it has been concluded that TRIA can modulate physio-biochemical growth as well as improves the level of drought tolerance in maize. Maize production under drought stress is a major challenge to the grower and must require some proper management so that productivity of this crop may not be compensated under moisture deficit stress. Thus, it is recommended that TRIA must be applied for modulating maize growth under water stress and yield as well as the productivity of maize may be enhanced by the application of TRIA at an appropriate concentration and growth stages of the crop.

Keywords

Triacontanol (TRIA), morphological & physio -biochemical attributes, maize and moisture stress

Conclusion

Based on the overall experiment conducted, results indicated that different growth parameters as well as yield attributing characters, and physio-biochemical growth regulation mediated by exogenous TRIA application in leaves of maize were significantly and positively correlated with each other. Meanwhile, the positive and highly significant relationship between various attributes was also noticed in case of foliar spray of TRIA at different levels both under normal irrigation and moderate stress conditions. Treatment by TRIA at T3 (2500ppm) was better whereas T1 (1500ppm) followed by T2 (2000ppm) also played little bit beneficial role in growth modulation in maize and thus induce drought tolerance. Such growth regulator at various levels may be attributed to decrease chlorophyll degradation and increased chlorophyll biosynthesis; increase membrane stability and relative water content and stimulates the growth of the plant by decreasing CO2 inhibition that in turn increases CO2 assimilation and enhance photosynthesis. On the whole, it can be concluded that various levels of TRIA played a significant and positive relationship on the growth regulation of maize under moisture stress condition.

References

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How to cite this article

Shil S., Rambabu B., Kishore P.S. and Dewanjee S. (2023). TRIA-mediated Physio-morphological and Biochemical Growth Regulation in Maize (Zea mays L.) under Moisture Deficit Stress. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 813-819.