Salinity stress on various physiological and biochemical attributes of two distinct maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes

Present study investigates the effect of salinity stress on physiological and biochemical characteristics of two maize genotypes cultivated under controlled growth conditions. The selected maize genotypes being salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive were respectively designated as Sahwal-2002 and Sadaf. The experiment was conducted in triplicates, two varieties, three priming treatments and two salinity levels, in the Government College University, Faisalabad. The antioxidants activity was measured by comparing the tolerance in response to acute and prolonged salinity treatment. The difference of genotype with salinity tolerance as well as seed priming with phenylalanine were not dependent on antioxidant activity when salt exposure was prolonged. The results show that an indirect relationship was present for PAL seed priming and oxidative damage due to salt. The antioxidant enzymes present in plant effectively reduced the oxidative damage of salt and thus, increased the overall crop yield.     

Growth Promotion of Maize (Zea mays L.) by Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria under Field Conditions

Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in plant health and soil fertility. The experiment was conducted as factorial experiment with two factors of Azospirillum and Azotobacter. The bacterial strains were Azospirillum lipoferum s-21, A. brasilense DSM 1690, A. lipoferum DSM 1691, Azotobacter chroococcum s-5, and A. chroococcum DSM 2286. The results indicated that growth promotion by PGPR appears from early stages of growth, 45 days after inoculation (DAI). Beneficial effects of bacterial inoculation on ear growth were observed after 75 DAI. Inoculation with PGPR increased dry weights of leaf, stem, and grain and hence total biomass sampled at 90, 105, and 120 (harvest time) DAI. The greatest grain weight was produced by Azospirillum s-21 inoculation. Dual inoculation with Azotobacter s-5 + Azospirillum s-21 significantly increased total dry weight up to 115%. Results of this study showed that leaf area index and crop growth index were significantly affected by bacterial treatments.     

High Sodium in Irrigation Water Caused B Toxicity at Low Soil Solution and Shoot B Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) in brackish water differentially affects boron (B) nutrition of plants grown on calcareous and salt-affected soils. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of brackish irrigation water with different sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_iw) [distilled-water control, 8, and 16 (mmol_c L^?1)^1/2] on B nutrition of maize. Plants were grown for 40 days with 5 levels of B (0, 1.29, 2.30, 3.22, and 4.46 mg kg^?1 soil). Boron application significantly improved plant growth at lower rates. High B rates and application of high SAR_iw decreased plant growth independently, and the reduction in growth was further aggravated due to combined effect of both B and high SAR_iw. Decreased growth was attributed mainly to increased shoot B and Na concentration, while decreased Ca concentration. These ionic changes also altered internal and external B requirements. Yield decrease was observed at lower B concentration in soil solution B and plants shoot grown with high SAR_iw than in plants grown with distilled water and low B application rates.     

Brassinolide effects on maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield under waterlogged conditions

Our aim was to assess if Brassinolide (BR) could ameliorate stress caused by waterlogging on maize. Two BR levels (with and without), two maize varieties [Ikom White (IKW) and Obatanpa-98 (Oba-98)] and three growth stages [control (WL_o), seedling stage (WL₁), and tasseling stage (WL₂)] were studied under waterlogging lasting 10 days. Maize growth and development were significantly (p?≤?.05) reduced by waterlogging stress under WL₁ than WL₂. Waterlogging stress at WL₁ adversely affected (p?≤?.05) the protein and relative water contents. The nitrogen (N) content among the plant partitions (leaves, stems, and grains) were reduced (p?≤?.05) at both silking and harvest. The beneficial effect of BR was more pronounced in Oba-98 with higher protein contents, dry matter yield, N-uptake and harvest index than IKW. Oba-98 was also better yielding than IKW. Thus, in a waterlogged soil, treatment of maize plants with BR at WL₁ could induce some tolerance.     

玉米单倍体胚性愈伤的诱导与鉴定

为建立一套适合玉米单倍体胚性愈伤培养和快速筛选体系,以单倍体诱导系MT-1为父本,18-599红为母本进行单倍体诱导,设置暗培养、全光照培养和光暗周期培养3种光照培养方式,均分别培养0、1、5、10、20、40 h后,观察幼胚形态和颜色。结果表明,自交系18-599红的单倍体和二倍体幼胚均能正常诱导形成胚性愈伤组织;不同光照培养方式对紫色(二倍体)愈伤率的检出效果依次为光培养>光暗周期培养>暗培养。通过光照筛选的方法可在早期鉴定愈伤组织,其二倍体愈伤的筛选率在培养20 h时可达68%,40 h时为71%,剔除了大部分非单倍体愈伤,综合分析确定光照强度为2 000 lx、20℃处理20 h为最适光照筛选处理。染色体压片技术获得的拟单倍体愈伤中有二倍体愈伤的检出,但经流式细胞仪检出获得的拟单倍体愈伤再经染色体压片检测,无二倍体愈伤,表明流式细胞仪检测单倍体愈伤的准确性高于染色体压片技术。通过光照初步筛选结合流式细胞仪的精确鉴定,迅速从3 000个单倍体愈伤中获得110个单倍体愈伤,单倍体愈伤率3.67%。本研究结果为以玉米单倍体愈伤为转基因受体,快速获得转基因植株提供了一定的技术支撑和理论参考。     

Effect of Potassium Supplies on the Nutritional Status of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The effect of soil potassium (K) supplies on the yield and nutritional status of maize and on interactions between the nutrients was examined in a long-term mineral fertilization experiment on maize. The experiment was set up in 1989 in Hungarian Great Plain, Szarvas on chernozem meadow soil calcareous in the deeper layers, with four levels each of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) supplies. The present paper describes the results of K fertilization in the 7–19th years of the experiment, from 1996 to 2008. The ammonium (NH₄)-lactate (AL) potassium oxide (K₂O) content of the ploughed layer ranged from 200 to 550 mg kg^–1 depending on the K fertilization level. No significant yield surpluses were recorded in any of the 13 years in response to the better K supplies ensured by K fertilizer. The results of leaf analysis indicated that the K concentrations representing satisfactory K supplies at a grain yield level of 10–14 t ha^–1 were 2.3–4.3% at the 5–6-leaf stage and 1.5–2.6% at the beginning of tasselling. When the AL-K₂O content of the soil was above 200–320 mg kg^–1, K– calcium (Ca), K–magnesium (Mg) and K–copper (Cu) antagonism was observed in the nutrient concentrations of the maize leaves in most years. The limit values of satisfactory nutrient supplies for maize in the 5–6-leaf stage and at the beginning of tasselling were 0.25–0.60% for Ca, 0.15–0.40% for Mg, and 7–11 mg kg^–1 and 2–11 mg kg^–1, respectively, for Cu. In dry years the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of maize leaves declined at higher soil K supply levels.     

Morpho-physiological and yield responses to exogenous moringa leaf extract and salicylic acid in maize (Zea mays L.) under water stress

Two field experiments were executed to investigate the effects of foliar-applied moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf extract (MLE; 1:30 w/v) and salicylic acid (SA; 0.5 mmol), singly or in combination, on growth, physio-biochemical, yield attributes and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize (Zea mays L., Three Ways Cross 329) under full and deficit irrigation conditions. Deficit irrigation was carried out by withholding water for 36 d from 12 to 48 days after sowing (DAS). At vegetative stage, deficit irrigation signi?cantly decreased all growth criteria, chlorophyll a concentration, and relative water content (RWC). In contrast, deficit irrigation considerably increased the concentrations of carotenoids, proline, membrane permeability (MP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Similarly, grain yield, most yield components and WUE were significantly depressed in drought-stressed plants. However, foliar-applied treatments particularly MLE+SA signi?cantly increased growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, RWC and proline accumulation associated with a simultaneous decrease in MP and MDA concentration under full and deficit irrigation conditions. The application of MLE+SA markedly increased grain yield, yield components and WUE over control (spray tap water). Overall, the combined application of MLE and SA could be used for alleviating the adverse effects of growth, physiology, yield criteria and WUE in drought-stressed maize plants.     

Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield Response to Methods of Nitrogen Fertilization

ABSTRACT

In the developing world, fertilizer application is commonly achieved by broadcasting nutrients to the soil surface without incorporation. A commonly used nitrogen (N) source is urea and if not incorporated, can sustain N losses via ammonia volatilization and lower crop yields. This study evaluated the effect of planting, N rate and application methods on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. An experiment with a randomized complete block design (nine treatments and three replications) was established in 2013 and 2018 in Oklahoma. The planting methods included; farmer practice (FP), Oklahoma State University hand planter (OSU-HP), and John Deere (JD) mechanical planter. Side-dress N application methods included; dribble surface band (DSB), broadcast (BR), and OSU-HP. Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 30 and 60 kg ha^?1 as urea and UAN at V8 growth stage. On average, planting and applying N at 60 kg ha^?1 using OSU-HP resulted in the highest yield (11.4 Mg ha^?1). This exceeded check plot yield (5.59 Mg ha^?1) by 104%. Nitrogen application improved grain yield by over 57% when compared to the 0-N check (8.77 Mg ha^?1). Mid-season N placement below the soil surface using OSU-HP makes it a suitable alternative to improve grain yield.     

干旱胁迫对玉米根系生长及根际养分的影响

通过盆栽模拟干旱试验，测定了干旱胁迫下玉米根系生长情况和根际土壤中速效N、P、K的含量。结果表明，干旱胁迫抑制了玉米拔节期和抽雄-开花期玉米根系的生长，减弱了玉米根系的吸收能力。干旱胁追下玉米根际NH4^＋-N、NO3^--N、速效P和速效K均发生根际富集现象。其中有效N和速效K含量高于正常供水．而速效P却呈现低于正常供水的趋势。干旱胁追抑制玉米根系生长、减弱根系吸收能力是玉米减产的重要原因。     

Soil temperature,growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) as affected by wheat straw mulch

Maize crop is grown mostly in tropical/subtropical environments where drought adversely affects its production. A field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil for four years (1999 – 2002) to study the effect of wheat straw mulch (0 and 6 t ha^?1) and planting methods (flat and channel) on maize sown on different dates. Maximum soil temperature without mulch ranged from 32.2 – 44.4°C in channel and 31.6 – 46.4°C in flat planting method. Mulching, however, lowered soil temperature by 0.8 – 7.0°C in channel and 0 – 9.8°C in flat planting. Mulching, on an average, improved leaf area index by 0.42, plant height by 14 cm, grain yield by 0.24 t ha^?1 and biomass by 1.57 t ha^?1, respectively. Mulching improved grain yield only in flat sowing. Interaction between sowing date and planting method was significant. Seasonal variation in biomass were significantly correlated (p = 0.05) with mean air temperature during 0 – 45 days after planting (DAP) (r = ?0.95), pan evaporation during 0 – 15 DAP (r = 0.79) and negative correlation with rainfall in entire cropping season (r = ?0.89), whereas biomass increase with mulch in different cropping seasons had negative relation (r = ?0.74) with amount of rain during 0 – 15 DAP.     

Improved Nutrient Uptake Enhances Cotton Growth and Salinity Tolerance in Saline Media

Two experiments were conducted to determine if improved nutrient uptake increases salinity tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). A transgenic cotton line (CMO3) with increased salt tolerance and its wild line (SM3) were grown in pots containing substrate (peat:vermiculite = 1:1, v/v) in the first experiment, while cotton (‘SCRC 28’) was cultured in hydroponics with a split-root system in the second experiment. Contents of essential nutrient elements and Na⁺ in plant tissues, leaf photosynthesis (Pn) and chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and plant biomass were determined after salinity [sodium chloride (NaCl)] treatment in both experiments. In the first experiment, salinity stress with 150 mM NaCl reduced plant biomass and photosynthesis (Pn) of both SM3 and CMO3 compared with their non-stressed controls, but the CMO3 suffered significantly lower reductions than SM3, suggesting an increased salinity tolerance of CMO3 relative to SM3. Total uptake and contents of main nutrient elements [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn)] in CMO3 were higher than those in SM3. Also, less sodium (Na⁺) accumulation and lower extreme ratios of Na/N, Na/P, Na/K, Na/Ca, Na/Mg, Na/Fe, Na/Mn, Na/Cu, and Na/Zn were observed in CMO3 than in SM3. Increased salt tolerance in transgenic AhCMO cotton was probably attributed to its superior nutrient uptake compared with SM3. In the second experiment, the non-stressed root half fed with moderate level of nutrient solution and salt-stressed half fed with low level of nutrient solution (CMN/SLN) exhibited higher salinity tolerance than salt-stressed root half fed with moderate level of nutrient solution and non-stressed root half fed with low nutrient solution (CLN/SMN). Plants absorbed more nutrients but less Na⁺ under CMN/SLN than CLN/SMN. The overall results suggest that improved nutrient uptake played an important role in the enhanced salt tolerance of cotton.     

Hand planter for maize (Zea mays L.) in the developing world

Third world maize (Zea mays L.) production is characterized by having extremely low yields, attributed in part to the poor planting methods employed. Maize planting in most third world countries involves placing 2–3 seeds per hill, with hills being roughly 30 cm apart. The variability in seeds per hill and distance between hills result in heterogeneous plant stands that are directly responsible for lower yields. Oklahoma State University (OSU) has developed a durable hand planter with a reciprocating internal drum that delivers single maize seeds per strike and that can also be used for mid-season application of urea fertilizer. The hand planter is 1.4 m in length, 5.8 cm in diameter, and weighs 1.9 kg when empty. The seed hopper has the capacity to hold 1 kg of seed and the tip has a sharp pointed shovel which can deliver seed to a planting depth of 5 cm in no-till and tilled soils. The current prototype has been comprehensively tested and evaluated to deliver at least 80% single seeds (singulation), with 0% misses and work well across varying seed sizes (2652–4344 seeds/kg) and different operators. Using the OSU hand planter, third world maize producers with average yields of 2.0 Mg ha^?1 could increase yields by 20%.     

Effects of Nitrogen Application on Chlorophyll Content,Water Relations,and Yield of Maize Hybrids under Saline Conditions

An experiment was conducted to assess whether accumulation of photosynthetic pigments, proline, and maintenance of water relation attributes relate to the yield of maize hybrids differing in salt tolerance. Two maize hybrids, Pioneer32B33 and Dekalb979, were grown at three salinity levels under four nitrogen treatments. The experiment was laid out in a three-factor randomized complete block design and there were three replications of each treatment. Salt stress significantly decreased leaf chlorophyll a and a/b contents, whereas chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were slightly increased. Under salinity stress, relative water content decreased, and water potential and osmotic potential become more negative. As a result, turgor potential also decreased. Nitrogen application improved all the chlorophyll pigments, water-related attributes, and yield components. However, chlorophyll a/b ratio was decreased. Overall, because of the differential response of maize hybrids to salt stress in terms of their performance in photosynthetic pigments, water relations, and yield, it can be concluded that hybrid Pioneer32B33 might perform better, if grown under salinity regime and sufficient nitrogen was applied in the growth medium.     

Denitrification with and without maize plants (Zea mays L.) under irrigated field conditions

The study was conducted under irrigated field conditions to examine the effect of maize plants on denitrification. Both planted and unplanted field plots received 150kgNha^–1 as urea. In a third treatment, which was also planted and received urea at 150kgNha^–1, the soil nitrate N content was brought up to equal to that in the unplanted plots by applying additional doses of N as calcium nitrate. Soil cores were collected 24 and 72h after irrigation and the denitrification rate was measured by the acetylene inhibition method. Nitrate-N content, aerobically mineralizable C, microbial biomass carrying capacity and denitrification potential were also studied on field-moist soil. Maize plants grown under field conditions always had the potential to increase denitrification in conditions of both high and low water-filled porosity. When nitrate-N content of the planted soil decreased due to plant uptake, denitrification was reduced in the planted soils. However, when nitrate-N uptake by plants was compensated through additional doses of nitrate fertilizer, denitrification was always higher in planted than unplanted soil. The stimulatory effect of plants on denitrification was observed at both high and low soil nitrate-N concentrations, though it was more pronounced at high nitrate-N levels. The effect of plants on denitrification and related parameters was confined to the root zone. Received: 15 April 1996     

Compost and Nitrogen Management Influence Productivity of Spring Maize (Zea mays L.) under Deep and Conventional Tillage Systems in Semi-arid Regions

On-farm research was conducted to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and compost (C) on yield and yield components of spring maize (Zea mays L.) under conventional and deep tillage system (T) at the research farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan, during spring 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement, using three replications. Three compost levels (0, 1, and 2 t ha^?1) and two tillage systems (conventional and deep tillage) were allotted to the main plot, whereas N levels (60, 90, 120, and 150 kg N ha^?1) were allotted to subplots in the form of urea. Nitrogen and compost levels had significantly affected all the parameters. Plots treated with 150 kg N ha^?1 increased ear length (31 cm), grains ear^?1 (413), thousand-grain weight (240.2 g), grain yield (3097 kg ha^?1), straw yield (9294 kg ha^?1), harvest index (24.7 percent), and shelling percentage (81.7 percent). Compost applied at 2 t ha^?1 increased ear length (32 cm), grains ear^?1 (430), thousand-grain weight (242.3 g), grain yield (2974 kg ha^?1), straw yield (8984 kg ha^?1), harvest index (24.6 percent), and shelling percentage (83.2 percent). Tillage system had significant effect on all parameters except ear length and harvest index. Deep tillage system produced more grains ear^?1 (365), thousand-grain weight (233.3 g), grain yield (2630 kg ha^?1), straw yield (8549 kg ha^?1), and shelling percentage (79.6 percent). It was concluded from the results that application of 120 kg N ha^?1 + 2 C t ha^?1 under a deep tillage system could improve spring maize yield and yield-contributing traits under semi-arid conditions.     

Performance of Some Wheat Cultivars Under Saline Irrigation Water in Field Conditions

Most of the crop salt tolerance studies are often conducted in a glasshouse and are limited under field conditions. Therefore, the present research study was conducted under field conditions to evaluate the performance of six wheat cultivars at five salinity levels (EC 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 dS m^?1) in split plot design with three replications. Increasing salinity significantly increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). Yield parameters of different cultivars were affected more at higher salinity levels than lower in two years. Data over two years revealed that up to EC 9 dS m^?1 cultivars PBW 658 and HD 2967 performed ???better on the absolute yield basis but PBW 621 produced ?higher relative yield. At EC 12 dS m^?1, PBW 658 produced significantly higher grain yield (4.23 t ha^?1) than cultivars HD 2967 (4.11 t ha^?1) and PBW 621 (3.99 t ha^?1); therefore, should be preferred at salinity more than 9 dS m^?1.     

Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nano Particles and Their Effect on Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plant

In the current literature, the impact of nano-particles (NPs) on growth of higher plants has scantly been reported. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of zinc oxide nano-particles (<100 nm) on growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plant, as one of the major agricultural crops, in a solution culture system. Various concentrations of zinc (Zn) were applied through nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) particles (<100 nm) in suspension form and in ionic form through zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) salt in Hoagland solution culture. Experimental results showed that nano zinc oxide particles could enhance and maintain the growth of maize plant as well as conventional Zn fertilizer (as ZnSO₄). The plant parameters like plant height, root length, root volume, and dry matter weight were all improved due to application of zinc oxide nano-particle. These findings indicate that plant roots might have the unique mechanism of assimilating nano-Zn and using for its growth and development. Different enzymatic activities were also studied and experimental results revealed that nano-ZnO particles (<100 nm) also governed the enzymatic activity of maize plant. A separate laboratory experiment was also carried out to characterize the zinc oxide nano particle for its size, zeta potential, etc.     

Variability Among Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines for Seed Longevity

Genotypes conserved in active collections may suffer genetic erosion and modifications. The objective of this work was to investigate changes in germination and vigour in maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines during cold storage in an active collection. Seeds of 16 maize inbreds produced along 16 years were evaluated for emergence and seedling vigour in a growth chamber. Linear and quadratic regressions of vigour and viability-related traits over seed age were calculated and tested for homogeneity. The seed of five production years of five inbreds that behaved differently in the regression analysis was multiplied in 1998, and original and renewed seed were evaluated in a growth chamber in 1999. Viability and vigour decreased linearly with age for most inbreds, particularly for B84 and EP10, varied at random for a few inbreds, and remained high for EP56 and A295. Aging caused reduction of vigour and loss of viability in most inbreds. There was variability for seed longevity among inbred lines; longevity was highest for inbred EP56. During storage, some seeds of each inbred died, while enduring seeds, when multiplied, produced new seed with enhanced viability and vigour compared to the average seed of the inbred, suggesting natural selection for viability and vigour during storage within inbred lines.     

Effects of exogenously applied salicylic acid on the induction of multiple stress tolerance and mineral nutrition in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

It has been proposed that salicylic acid (SA) acts as an endogenous signal molecule responsible for inducing environmental stress tolerance in plants. In this study, the effects of seed soaked (1.0 mM for 24 h) and soil incorporated (0.1 mM and 0.5 mM) salicylic acid (SA) supply on growth and mineral concentrations of maize (Zea mays L., Hamidiye F₁) grown under either salt, boron toxicity or drought-stressed conditions were investigated. Exogenously applied SA either with seed soaked (SS) or soil incorporated (SI) increased plant growth significantly in all the stresses conditions. Salicylic acid inhibited Na and Cl accumulation in saline conditions, and 0.5 mM of soil incorporated SA decreased B significantly in boron toxicity treatment. Except in drought condition, SA treatments stimulated N accumulation in plants. And P, K, Mg and Mn concentrations of SA received plants were increased in the stress conditions. These results suggest that SA regulates the response of plants to the environmental stresses and could be used as a plant growth regulator to improve plant growth and stimulate mineral nutrient concentrations under stress conditions.