Abstract
Low water availability is characterized as an abiotic stressthat limits the agricultural production. Due to the physical and chemicalcharacteristics of the chitosan (CHT), this substance might stimulatephysiological responses on plants to tolerate the water deficit. In this sense,we submitted corn plants to water deficit and application of chitosan on theleaves (140 mg/L) during pre flowering stage. It were analyzed two cornhybrids genotypes contrasting for water deficit tolerance: DKB 390 (tolerant)and BRS1010 (sensitive). Then, we performed evaluations on the rootsystem and production components. Corn plants submitted to the applicationof chitosan presented a specific behavior: when compared the hybrids,the tolerant one presented a root system that was more developed and anexpressive agronomical yield. These results highlight the fact that the chitosanstimulates plant growth, enhancing their root system and contributing toincrease the availability and absorption of water and nutrients. The chitosanpresents a potential to reduce the negative effects of water deficit on the rootsystems, without compromising the agronomical yield.
Highlights
The low water availability is regarded as a limiting factor for maize crop, which reduces plant growth and productivity in the farms (Boyer et al, 2013)
It is necessary to have a greater knowledge of the strategies that aim at increasing the tolerance to water deficit, influencing the development of the root system without compromising the performance of the crops
Water reposition was performed based on the results obtained with the sensor and the water was replaced until field capacity (FC) during the period that preceded the imposition of treatments
Summary
The low water availability is regarded as a limiting factor for maize crop, which reduces plant growth and productivity in the farms (Boyer et al, 2013). Especially related to length, superficial area and volume, are key features to improve crop adaptation under low water availability conditions In this situation, it is necessary to have a greater knowledge of the strategies that aim at increasing the tolerance to water deficit, influencing the development of the root system without compromising the performance of the crops. Results from the past decades indicate that this biopolymer has the potential to be developed as an antitranspirant in situations of agricultural stress, inducing the tolerance to droughts by enhancing the defenses against oxidative stress, but without compromising the agricultural yield As it can be noticed, the stimulating effect of the CHT on growth and development of crops, mainly the increase of water and nutrient availability and absorption, is due to osmotic cellular pressure (Lavinsky et al, 2015). The objective of this work was to evaluate the influences of application of chitosan on leaves and its effects on root system of contrasting maize plants under water deficit
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
