Growth, Yield and Physiological Characteristics of Maize (Zea mays L.) at Two Different Soil Moisture Regimes by Supplying Silicon and Chitosan

Abstract

Water deficit is an important factor to challenge food security, particularly in arid and semi-arid climates. In present experiment, silicon (Si) and chitosan were evaluated to affect the growth, yield and physiological behavior of maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit. A pot experiment was conducted in wire house using two soil moisture regimes i.e. 100% field capacity (FC, control) and 50% FC (water deficit), 2 mM Si, 1.0 g chitosan kg−1 soil and 2 mM Si + 1.0 g chitosan kg−1 soil, and replicated thrice. Water deficit increased malondialdehyde (MDA) while decreased membrane stability index (MSI), nutrients accumulation, chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthesis, leading to a decline in grain yield of 41.17% compared to control. Silicon or/and chitosan improved the growth, yield and physiological characteristics of maize, with highest improvement by the combined use of Si and chitosan. Integrated use of Si and chitosan improved soluble proteins by 35.84%, photosynthesis 56.57%, MSI 51.38%, relative water content 58.57%, and grain yield 44.31% compared to water deficit without Si and chitosan. Silicon or/and chitosan stimulated antioxidant enzymes activities, maximum increase of 81.47% in SOD, 55.37% POD, and 134.44% CAT, while decrease in MDA 64.31% with Si + chitosan compared to water deficit without Si and chitosan. For the set of treatments under investigation, integrated use of Si and chitosan could be an important strategy to improve the growth, yield and physiological characteristics of maize under water deficit.