Effect of seed soaking in proline on growth and production of salt-stressed maize plants
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61952/jlabw.v1i3.194Keywords:
Salinity, proline, maize, growth and yield components, photosynthetic pigments, osmoprotectantsAbstract
Seed soaking using osmo-regulatory compounds, including proline, is a promising approach to enhance crop tolerance to abiotic stresses, including salinity. The impact of seed soaking in 3.0 mM proline on maize plants under salt stress was examined. Salt stress was induced by using 70 mM and 140 mM NaCl. This study aimed to uncover the positive effects of proline on salt-stressed plant performance. Findings showed that photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoid contents), K+ content, K+/Na+ ratio, and plant growth and yield traits were significantly decreased when maize plants exposed to 70 mM (moderate) and 140 mM NaCl (severe salt stress). The 140 mM NaCl was more dangerous than the 70 mM NaCl. However, seed soaking in 3.0 mM proline mitigated salt stress effects and significantly increased photosynthetic pigments, proline and K+ contents, K+/Na+ ratio, and plant growth and yield traits compared to the controls. Therefore, this study recommends the use of 3.0 mM proline as a seed soaking solution to enhance the maize's ability to tolerate salt stress.
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