Foliar Application Research Articles

Foliar application of nutrient formulation enhances the post-harvest quality of tuberose (Agave amica Medik.) cv. Arka Prajwal

A study was conducted at the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture Laboratory to investigate the influence of various nutrient formulations on the post-harvest quality of tuberose using a knapsack sprayer and drone. The treatments involved spraying macro and micronutrients along with growth regulators at different concentrations. Throughout the experiment, all parameters were recorded at 2 days intervals. Drone spray of MN mixture + 0.5 % poly feed + 0.6 % humic acid + 150 ppm GA3 recorded the maximum plant post-harvest quality attributes over other treatments. It showed increased post-harvest quality attributes, including relative water content percentage of flower (95.15 %), physiological loss of weight percentage of flower (14.83 %), shelf life at room temperature (3.79 days) and vase life (12.45 days). Additionally, the treatment was found to be the best for parameters of water uptake (38.45 g) and percentage of floret opened (27.02). Plots treated with drone spray of MN mixture + 0.5 % poly feed + 0.6 % humic acid + GA3 at 150 ppm showed a reduced rate of transpiration loss of water (14.89 g) and electrolyte leakage (12.52). The experimental findings demonstrated that foliar application of nutrients along with growth regulators at different concentrations using drones improved the post-harvest quality of tuberose.

Effect of foliar application of Ethephon in growth traits, seed yield and it’s components in Alfalfa

Effect of foliar application of Ethephon in growth traits, seed yield and it’s components in Alfalfa

Impact of nano-potassium foliar application on bread wheat cultivars for enhanced sustainable production

Impact of nano-potassium foliar application on bread wheat cultivars for enhanced sustainable production

Foliar application of Azospirillum brasilense, salicylic acid and zinc on wheat Performance under rain–fed condition

Foliar application of Azospirillum brasilense, salicylic acid and zinc on wheat Performance under rain–fed condition

Nano-Biochar Suspension Mediated Alterations in Growth, Physio-Biochemical Activities and Nutrient Content in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at the Vegetative Stage.

Nano-biochar is a source of blackish carbonaceous material, a prerequisite for sustainable crop productivity. By using a variety of feedstock materials, nanobiochar synthesis can be employed via pyrolysis. Therefore, a project was initiated to explore the morpho-physio-biochemical alteration at the vegetative stage of wheat crops after the foliar application of nanobiochar suspension (NBS). This investigation was conducted at the Botanical Research Area of the University of Lahore in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) arrangement, with four treatments (0, 1, 3, and 5% NBS) by maintaining three replications for each treatment using the wheat variety "Zincol". Nano biochar suspension in above mentioned concentrations were foliarly applied at the end of tillering/beginning of leaf sheath elongation of wheat seedlings to assess the morphological changes (root length, shoot length, number of leaves, fresh biomass/plant, dry biomass/plant), physio-biochemical alterations (total free amino acids, total sugars, chlorophyll content, protein, phenols, flavonoids), and nutrient uptake (Na, K, Ca, Mg, N, P contents. Our findings indicate that the foliar application of 3% NBS yielded the most favorable results across all measured attributes. Furthermore, Treatment-4 (5% NBS) specifically improved certain traits, including leaf area, total soluble proteins, and leaf calcium content. Finally, all NBS resulted in a decrease in carotenoid and sodium content in wheat seedlings.

Foliar application of microbial nano-selenium enhances selenium uptake and alleviates oxidative stress

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient to humans and animals in diet primarily from edible crops. However, limited studies have been conducted on applying microbially synthesized Se nanoparticles (BioSeNPs) to affect plant Se uptake and toxicity. The bacterium Bacillus wiedmannii ES2–45 was able to efficiently produce BioSeNPs by completely reducing 5 mM selenite [Se(IV)] within 24 h. Then, fermented BioSeNPs were sprayed on the leaf surface of Brassica rapa L to investigate their effects on growth and Se accumulation. Total Se and leaf biomass increased significantly by 124 % and 14.3 % respectively in the BioSeNP treatment compared to the Se(IV) treatment. The Se(VI) treatment was found to be toxic to the leaves although Se(VI) had similar effects to BioSeNP treatments. Notably, BioSeNP treatment significantly increased the plant’s ability to alleviate oxidative stress including levels of chlorophyll, malonaldehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT) (P<0.05). In conclusion, the foliar application of BioSeNPs is a promising strategy to improve the Se content of vegetables and alleviate Se-induced oxidative stress.

Impact of Foliar Application of Nano Urea on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Fruit Quality of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in the Western Undulating Zone of Odisha, India

Impact of Foliar Application of Nano Urea on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Fruit Quality of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in the Western Undulating Zone of Odisha, India

Particle film treatments on ‘Assyrtiko’ grapevines enhance physiology and grape attributes in Santorini Island

Like many viticultural regions of the Mediterranean region, Santorini is also affected by climate change. These changing climatic conditions pose challenges to adapt the island’s traditional viticulture practices to the new climatic conditions of climate change, which will intensify in the future, with the use of short- and long-term solutions with a sustainable manner respecting the tradition and the island’s landscape. Viticulture in this region copes with high temperatures, heat waves and drought which affect the maturity process, the technological maturity, as well as the physiology of the grapevine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of kaolin and calcium carbonate foliar application on water relations, photosynthesis and berry composition of vines of grape cultivar ‘Assyrtiko’, trained with the traditional training system ‘Kouloura’, under drought conditions and vertical shoot positioned training system in Santorini. The effects of foliar application with kaolin and CaCO3 on vines of grape cultivar ‘Assyrtiko’ were evaluated, focusing on the impact on the vine’s physiology attributes, grape quality, and environmental sustainability. Based on the results of the present study, there were statistically significant differences on vine water stress where the foliar application of inert films reduced water stress during the three studied years. Kaolin and CaCO3 increased significantly the photosynthesis and stomatal conductance of the vines in comparison to the control. Furthermore, the foliar application with inert minerals has reduced sunburn and pest damage. The results of the present study confirm that the application of kaolin and CaCO3 constitutes an effective and economical solution for the water saving of the vines in dry conditions, while at the same time, it can improve the physiology of the plant and preserve the qualitative and quantitative attributes of the grapes. The foliar use of inert particle films on Santorini’s traditional vineyards could consist a sustainable and effective alternative to mitigate the effects of climate change which have intensified over the last decades in the region.

The alleviating effect on the growth, chlorophyll synthesis, and biochemical defense system in sunflowers under cadmium stress achieved through foliar application of humic acid

BackgroundWith the progress of industrialization and urbanization, cadmium (Cd) pollution in farmland is increasingly severe, greatly affecting human health. Sunflowers possess high resistance to Cd stress and great potential for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil. Previous studies have shown that humic acid (HA) effectively mitigates plant damage induced by Cd; however, its alleviating effects on sunflower plants under Cd stress remain largely unknown.ResultsWe employed four different concentrations of HA (50, 100, 200, and 300 mg L−1) via foliar application to examine their ability to alleviate Cd stress on sunflower plants' growth, chlorophyll synthesis, and biochemical defense system. The results revealed that Cd stress not only reduced plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight, and chlorophyll content in sunflower plants but also altered their chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics compared to the control group. After Cd stress, the photosynthetic structure was damaged and the number of PSII reactive centers per unit changed. Application of 200 mg L−1 HA promotes sunflower growth and increases chlorophyll content. HA significantly enhances antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT, and APX) and reduces ROS content (O2−, H2O2 and −OH). Totally, Application of 200 mg L−1 HA had the best effect than other concentrations to alleviate the Cd-induced stress in sunflower plants.ConclusionsThe foliar application of certain HA concentration exhibited the most effective alleviation of Cd-induced stress on sunflower plants. It can enhance the light energy utilization and antioxidant enzyme activities, while reduce ROS contents in sunflower plants. These findings provide a theoretical basis for using HA to mitigate Cd stress in sunflowers.

Ascorbic acid-mediated enhancement of antioxidants and photosynthetic efficiency: A strategy for enhancing canola yield under salt stress

Ascorbic acid (AsA), a water-soluble antioxidant, act as cofactor for enzymes that regulate photosynthesis, hormonal and antioxidant biosynthesis that enables the plants to alleviate the harmful effects of salinity stress. The study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative role of foliar application of 200 ppm ascorbic acid (AsA) in improving growth by changing antioxidant response, photosynthetic capacity and mineral nutrient status of two canola varieties (Dunkled and Cyclone) under salinity stress (200 mM NaCl). Salt stress reduced plant biomass, photosynthetic activity, and accumulation of macro and micronutrients such as K+, Ca2+and Zn2+ in both canola varieties, on the other hand accumulation of Na+ and Cl−was increased. The salinity-induced oxidative stress (H2O2 and MDA) caused photoinhibition of PSII at the donor and acceptor ends. The salinity-induced reduction in efficiency of electron donation to PSII (Fv/Fo) and electron transport through PSII (Fm/Fo), especially in Cyclone, significantly reduced ETRII thus enhancing CEF around PSI and NPQ in both canola varieties that has been considered as photo-protective mechanism of plants. In addition, salt stress enhanced CEF around PSI. However, application of AsA improved the structural stability of PSII, linear electron transport and reduced donor end limitation of PSI activity by improving electron transfer from PSII to PSI. The application of AsA improved the stomatal conductance, inter-cellular CO2 concentration and net CO2 assimilation rate thereby resulting in improved consumption of extra-electrons in CO2 fixation generated by photosynthetic electron transport. Exogenous AsA application reduced the oxidative stress and improved the antioxidant potential by managing extra-electrons produced in CO2 fixation. All these physiological and biochemical changes due to AsA application helped the canola plants to improve growth and yield under salinity. Thus, the application of ascorbic acid has the potential to ameliorate the detrimental effects of NaCl stress on canola plants.

Effects of foliar treatments with urea and nano-urea on the cell walls of Monastrell grape skins

Cell wall composition can be affected by nitrogen availability in the vineyard. Foliar application of urea is effective in supplying nitrogen needs and increasing the nitrogen content of musts. Due to the low recoveries of urea fertilisation, more effective application methods such as the use of nanotechnology are needed. In this work, the effect on the composition of Monastrell grape skin cell walls, after foliar application of urea and amorphous calcium phosphate nano-particles doped with urea was studied. The treatments with urea and nano-urea, although the urea content in the nano-treatment was eight times lower than in the conventional treatment, produce an equivalent modification of the cell wall. In fact, both treatments produced an increase in cell wall thickness and in cell wall composition, contents of proteins, hemicellulose and uronic acids also increased. However, phenolic compounds were not affected and cellulose showed lower concentrations than control grapes. Regarding the spectrophotometric parameters of the wine studied, the anthocyanins content and colour intensity were reduced in wines with both treatments and the total polyphenol index was slightly affected.

Nutrient strengthening and lead alleviation in Brassica Napus L. by foliar ZnO and TiO2-NPs modulating antioxidant system, improving photosynthetic efficiency and reducing lead uptake

With the anticipated foliar application of nanoparticles (NPs) as a potential strategy to improve crop production and ameliorate heavy metal toxicity, it is crucial to evaluate the role of NPs in improving the nutrient content of plants under Lead (Pb) stress for achieving higher agriculture productivity to ensure food security. Herein, Brassica napus L. grown under Pb contaminated soil (300 mg/kg) was sprayed with different rates (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L) of TiO2 and ZnO-NPs. The plants were evaluated for growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, leaf exchange attributes, oxidant and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results revealed that 100 mg/L NPs foliar application significantly augmented plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, and leaf gas exchange attributes. Furthermore, 100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs application showed a maximum increase in SPAD values (79.1%, 68.9%). NPs foliar application (100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs) also substantially reduced malondialdehyde (44.3%, 38.3%), hydrogen peroxide (59.9%, 53.1%), electrolyte leakage (74.8%, 68.3%), and increased peroxidase (93.8%, 89.1%), catalase (91.3%, 84.1%), superoxide dismutase (81.8%, 73.5%) and ascorbate peroxidase (78.5%, 73.7%) thereby reducing Pb accumulation. NPs foliar application (100 mg/L) significantly reduced root Pb (45.7%, 42.3%) and shoot Pb (84.1%, 76.7%) concentration in TiO2 and ZnO-NPs respectively, as compared to control. Importantly, macro and micronutrient analysis showed that foliar application 100 mg/L TiO2 and ZnO-NPs increased shoot zinc (58.4%, 78.7%) iron (79.3%, 89.9%), manganese (62.8%, 68.6%), magnesium (72.1%, 93.7%), calcium (58.2%, 69.9%) and potassium (81.5%, 68.6%) when compared to control without NPs. The same trend was observed for root nutrient concentration. In conclusion, we found that the TiO2 and ZnO-NPs have the greatest efficiency at 100 mg/L concentration to alleviate Pb induced toxicity on growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient content of Brassica napus L. NPs foliar application is a promising strategy to ensure sustainable agriculture and food safety under metal contamination.

Perseverance of management is needed – Efficient long-term strategy of Reynoutria management

One of the most problematic invasive species in Europe are knotweeds from genus Reynoutria (Fallopia) which have significant negative impact on the native communities as well on human activities. Therefore, they are a target of many control programmes. Due to their high regeneration potential, their management is problematic, and only chemical treatment is reported to be sufficiently effective. The aim of this paper was to describe and analyse the patterns of Reynoutria invasion under long-term chemical treatment with glyphosate-based herbicide in The Morávka river floodplain, Czech Republic. The data covers 17 years of management which started with the European project “Preservation of alluvial forest habitats in the Morávka river basin”. We focus on (i) assessment of Reynoutria distribution during long-term management, (ii) analysis of the change of distribution according to the habitat, and (iii) discussion of the optimal management strategy based on the long-term data. Distribution data was obtained using GNSS field mapping. Before the start of the study in 2007, Reynoutria stands covered 29% of the study area (96.9 ha). As a result of systematic whole area chemical management, the extent decreased to 19.6% (65.3 ha) in 2009, and even reached 14.5% (48.2 ha) in 2013, three years after its end. Due to implementation of local chemical management in the following years, the area of Reynoutria was maintained at similar level, with minimum value 41.8 ha in 2018 and a slight increase in recent mapping in 2023. Beside the extent, the structure and coverage of invaded sites was analysed. There was a clear trend of fragmentation of larger polycormons with high coverage into many smaller and less dense ones as a result of chemical spraying. The average size of Reynoutria stand decreased from 0.61 ha in 2007 to half in 2013 (0.32 ha) to 0.15 ha in 2023. Testing of the effects of time, habitat, and biotope did not reveal significant differences of changes of extent and abundance over different environments (forest, open, bare ground), which indicates that there are no differences in reaction to management in the studied habitat and vegetation types. Our study provides a robust and unique overview of the invasion, reinvasion, and suppression dynamics for an important invasive species. If herbicide management is used, chemical treatment must be quite long-term as even three years of intensive glyphosate foliar spray application was not sufficient for the complete eradication of Reynoutria. Therefore, we propose the following procedure for effective chemical management of Reynoutria: 1) In largely infested sites, the first step is to reduce the distribution of Reynoutria stands to isolated polycormons. This phase can last 3–5 years. 2) After reaching the state of sparse distribution of Reynoutria, we recommend herbicide application only in periods of every 3–5 years depending on the local context and rate of regrowth. 3) At sites exposed to soil disturbances, where the soil is contaminated by fragments of Reynoutria rhizomes, there is a need to apply herbicide immediately to target newly resprouting individuals.

Optimizing Sweet Cherry Attributes through Magnesium and Potassium Fertilization

Plant nutrition through fertilizer application plays a crucial role in enhancing crop quality and yield, necessitating a balanced fertilization approach. Sweet cherry, esteemed as one of the most prized crops worldwide, was the focus of this three-year study spanning from 2019 to 2021, involving the sweet cherry cultivar Burlat. This study investigated the foliar application of magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) to enhance fruit quality parameters. Different doses of Mg (250 g hL−1 and 125 g hL−1) and K (100 g hL−1 and 50 g hL−1) and a control treatment were administered to sweet cherry trees to assess their impact on fruit quality. At the commercial ripening stage, fruits from each treatment were harvested for comprehensive evaluation, including biometric and chromatic parameters, fruit firmness, routine parameters, sensory profile, and nutrient content analysis. Results from the study revealed notable enhancements in fruit weight and dimensions, particularly in the control treatment in 2020. Furthermore, Mg125 and Mg250 treatments exhibited improved color development and accelerated maturity by increasing the total soluble solids content while decreasing titratable acidity. Sensorial profiling indicated that Mg125 and Mg250 treatments intensified color intensity and sweet taste while mitigating sour taste perceptions. Conversely, potassium fertilization, especially the K50 treatment, led to increased fruit firmness and nutrient content. These findings offer valuable insights into optimizing sweet cherry production practices globally.

Foliar application of melatonin improve the number of secondary branches and secondary branch grains quality of rice.

Melatonin plays an important role in plant growth and development. However, little information is available about melatonin regulating rice panicle structure and yield. This study explored the regulatory effects and mechanisms of melatonin spraying before the panicle differentiation stage on rice panicle structure and grain quality. The results showed that spraying melatonin before panicle differentiation increased rice yield, which was mainly reflected in the increase in spikelets per panicle and the percentage of filled grains. In addition, melatonin treatment significantly increased the panicle length. The results of panicle structure analysis showed that the increase in spikelets per panicle caused by melatonin was attributed to the significant increase in the number of secondary branches, total number of secondary branch spikelets, and number of spikelets per secondary branch. The results showed that melatonin can increase the content of zeatin, auxin, and gibberellin, and reduce the content of abscisic acid. These results showed that melatonin affected panicle structure by regulating hormone content, thereby improving yield. In addition, melatonin improves the processing quality, appearance quality, and nutritional quality of secondary branch grains. The above results indicate that application of melatonin improves the number of secondary branches and the quality of grainss on secondary branches.

Jasmonic acid priming and foliar application of spermidine up-regulates the tolerance mechanisms to alleviate the damaging effects of cadmium stress on growth and photosynthesis in wheat

The study examined the effects of jasmonic acid (100 nmol, JA) priming and foliar application of spermidine (1 mM, Spd), both individually and combined, on mitigating cadmium (100 µM, Cd) stress-induced oxidative damage in wheat. Cadmium stress reduced plant height and dry mass, but JA priming and/or Spd treatment increased resistance. Cd stress significantly decreased carotenoids, total chlorophylls, glutamate 1-semialdehyde (GSA), and δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), but JA and Spd treatments counteracted these reductions. Photosynthetic parameters improved under JA and Spd treatments, with combined treatment showing greater alleviation. Cd exposure increased lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, and superoxide, but these oxidative stress indicators were significantly reduced after JA and Spd treatment. Antioxidant enzyme activity was upregulated by JA priming and Spd application, both under unstressed and Cd-stressed conditions. JA and/or Spd treatments also increased ascorbic acid, lowered glutathione concentration, and upregulated glyoxylase activity, reducing methylglyoxal accumulation. Additionally, secondary compounds (phenols and flavonoids) and osmolytes (proline and glycine betaine) levels improved. Proline oxidase activity decreased, indicating controlled proline buildup, while γ-glutamyl kinase activity increased. JA and/or Spd treatments significantly reduced Cd accumulation in seedlings. The study concluded that JA and Spd treatments enhance the plant's defensive mechanisms against oxidative stress by boosting antioxidant enzymes and secondary metabolism.

Pre-harvest foliar spraying of calcium and zinc preserves berries quality and mitigates chilling injury of grape during cold storage

The current study was conducted to elucidate the effect of single and combined post-veraison sprays of calcium nitrate (Ca, 2 %) and zinc sulfate (Zn, 1 %) on post-harvest quality attributes of ‘Sahebi’ grapes during cold storage. Grapes foliar-sprayed with combination of Ca and Zn showed higher flavonols (28 % myricetin, 4 % quercetin, and 15 % kaempferol), flavanols (6 % catechin, 29 % epicatechin, and 10 % epi‑gallocatechin) and anthocyanins (21 % malvidin, 16 % cyaniding and 13 % peonidin, 22 % petunidin) than controls. Moreover, Ca and Zn foliar application was also effective in preserving the levels of trans-resveratrol and phenolic acids in grape berries. The higher amount of phenolic compounds in Ca + Zn-treated grapes was accompanied with higher activity of antioxidant enzymes, lower activity of polyphenol oxidase, and lower incidence of fungal decay. In general, post veraison spray of Ca and Zn is promising viticultural operation for preserving berries bioactive compound and mitigating chilling injury of grape during cold storage.

Crop Safety and Weed Control of Foliar Application of Penoxsulam in Foxtail Millet.

Grass damage has become an important factor restricting foxtail millet production; chemical weeding can help resolve this issue. However, special herbicides in foxtail millet fields are lacking. Penoxsulam has a broad weed control spectrum and a good control effect. In this project, Jingu 21 was used as the test material, and five different concentrations of penoxsulam were used for spraying test in the three-five leaf stage. In this experiment, the effects on the growth of foxtail millet were discussed by measuring the agronomic characters and antioxidant capacity of foxtail millet after spraying penoxsulam. The results showed that: (1) penoxsulam is particularly effective in controlling Amaranthus retroflexus L. (A. retroflexus) and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. (E. crus-galli), but is ineffective in controlling Chenopodium album L. (C. album) and Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. (D. sanguinalis); (2) the stem diameter, fresh weight, and dry weight of the above-ground parts decreased with the increase in spraying amount; (3) as the spraying dosage increased, the superoxide (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in the foxtail millet initially increased and subsequently decreased; the malonaldehyde (MDA) content increased. Our experiment found that 1/2X and 1X spraying dosages had certain application value in controlling gramineous weeds in foxtail millet field. Other spraying dosages are not recommended as they may harm the crops. Our findings provide reference for identifying new herbicides in the foxtail millet field.

Unraveling Calcium Absorption and Distribution in Peach and Nectarine during Fruit Development through 44Ca Isotope Labeling.

Calcium foliar applications are known to effectively enhance peach quality; however, the optimal implementation strategy regarding fruit developmental stages and cultivars remains unclear. In this study, three different moments of fruit Ca applications in peach and nectarine are tested: Early season, Mid-season, and Late season. For this aim, the 44Ca isotope was used as a tracer, enabling the quantification and location of the Ca derived from the foliar fertilizer. Stone, flesh, and skin 44Ca enrichment was separately analyzed at harvest. The results indicate that Ca absorption in the fruits from external CaCl2 applications was influenced by the timing of the application during fruit development, with Late-season applications proving to be the most effective in increasing the Ca content in the fruit, corresponding with a higher fruit size at the application moment. Nevertheless, no differences in the absorption efficiency were found between the three timings of the application. Furthermore, the Ca from the foliar fertilizer in the fruit predominately remained in the flesh, followed by the skin. The Ca derived from the foliar fertilizer reached the stone in all of the experimental situations, but the Early- and Mid-season applications resulted in the highest amount of Ca derived from the fertilizer in this part of the fruit. Interestingly, the peach exhibited a higher Ca absorption efficiency compared to the nectarine, likely due to the presence of trichomes that retain the foliar fertilizer on the fruit surface. In conclusion, the Ca absorption and distribution in peaches depends on the cultivar and timing of the Ca application.

Insights into trehalose mediated physiological and biochemical mechanisms in Zea mays L. under chromium stress

BackgroundChromium (Cr) toxicity significantly threatens agricultural ecosystems worldwide, adversely affecting plant growth and development and reducing crop productivity. Trehalose, a non-reducing sugar has been identified as a mitigator of toxic effects induced by abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metals. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of exogenously applied trehalose on maize plants exposed to Cr stress.ResultsTwo maize varieties, FH-1046 and FH-1453, were subjected to two different Cr concentrations (0.3 mM, and 0.5 mM). The results revealed significant variations in growth and biochemical parameters for both maize varieties under Cr-induced stress conditions as compared to the control group. Foliar application of trehalose at a concentration of 30 mM was administered to both maize varieties, leading to a noteworthy reduction in the detrimental effects of Cr stress. Notably, the Cr (0.5 mM) stress more adversely affected the shoot length more than 0.3mM of Cr stress. Cr stress (0.5 mM) significantly reduced the shoot length by 12.4% in FH-1046 and 24.5% in FH-1453 while Trehalose increased shoot length by 30.19% and 4.75% in FH-1046 and FH-1453 respectively. Cr stress significantly constrained growth and biochemical processes, whereas trehalose notably improved plant growth by reducing Cr uptake and minimizing oxidative stress caused by Cr. This reduction in oxidative stress was evidenced by decreased production of proline, SOD, POD, MDA, H2O2, catalase, and APX. Trehalose also enhanced photosynthetic activities under Cr stress, as indicated by increased values of chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids. Furthermore, the ameliorative potential of trehalose was demonstrated by increased contents of proteins and carbohydrates and a decrease in Cr uptake.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that trehalose application substantially improved growth and enhanced photosynthetic activities in both maize varieties. Trehalose (30 mM) significantly increased the plant biomass, reduced ROS production and enhanced resilience to Cr stress even at 0.5 mM.