Effect of Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid on Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) under different Water Regimes

Abstract

Maize is the third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice in the world and plays a significant role in human nutrition. Its area and production have been substantially increased during recent years in Pakistan. Water contributes more than 70% in the composition of plant body and is important for all anabolic/catabolic processes. Among all the abiotic stresses the water shortage is the major one. To explore the efficacy of exogenously applied salicylic acid in mitigating the drought effects under different water regimes on maize growth and yield, a field experiment was conducted at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Pakistan, during autumn, 2021. The layout of experimental trial was comprised of randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement with gross plot size of 5 m × 3 m. There were two factors in this study; factor A comprised of different irrigation regimes such as no stress, skip irrigation at knee height, and skip irrigation at tasseling. Whereas the factor B comprised of salicylic acid treatments viz; 0 mg L-1, 100 mg L-1, 200 mg L-1, and 300 mg L-1. Water stress was applied at varying described stages. Drought stress influenced badly the physiological features and other growth and yield related attributes of maize crop and exogenous salicylic acid application was found helpful to enhance crop yield performance by increasing stress tolerance in maize. Salicylic acid as foliar application @ 300 mg L-1 was recorded best which ameliorated the moisture stress and improved the crop yield performance.