Modulations in plant water relations and tissue-specific osmoregulation by foliar-applied ascorbic acid and the induction of salt tolerance in maize plants

Abstract

Plant water status and cellular osmotic adjustments play a key role in the salt tolerance of plants. An experiment was conducted to assess the influence of foliarapplied ascorbic acid (AsA) on the plant water relations, cellular osmotic adjustments, uptake, and accumulation of different ions in the two high yielding maize cultivars (Agaiti-2002 and EV-1098) at early growth stage under salt stress (120 mM NaCl). Salt stress altered growth, water relation attributes, osmolytes accumulation, and decreased the uptake of K ? , Ca 2? , P, and N, while increased the uptake and accumulation of Na ? in different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root). Exogenous AsA increased the accumulation of AsA in different plant parts, particularly in leaves and roots. Moreover, AsA application resulted in the accumulation of proline and glycinebetaine (GB) in the roots and leaves of both maize cultivars when under salt stress. Foliar application of AsA also increased the uptake of minerals such as K ? , Ca 2? , P, and N and decreased the uptake and accumulation of Na ? in different plant parts. Taken together, the AsA-induced enhanced accumulation of osmolytes (GB and proline) and AsA increased the K ? / Na ? ratio, and more accumulation of beneficial nutrients in the roots and leaves enhanced water uptake from soil and reduced the negative effects of Na ? in the salt-stressed maize plants. The results suggested that foliar-applied AsA either accelerated the tissue-specific translocation of AsA or altered the de novo synthesis of AsA to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity in maize plants.

Nitric Oxide Regulated Improvement in Growth and Yield of Rice Plants Grown Under Salinity Stress: Antioxidant Defense System

“…Leaf ascorbic acid and phenolic contents have significant roles in many metabolic processes in plants (Jamil et al, 2015 (Ashraf and Ali, 2008). In the present study, exogenous SNP treatment was found effective in increasing the leaf ascorbic acid and phenolic content in rice plants grown under salt stress.…”

“…The activity of phenolics as an antioxidant metabolite is due to its greater radical stabilization and proton donating ability (Rice- Evans et al, 1996). Plant phenolic content has been reported to be affected under different abiotic stresses including salinity Jamil et al, 2015). Similarly, AsA also plays its role not only as an important non-enzymatic antioxidant; also contribute efficiently in the completion of enzymatic antioxidation.…”

Use of Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Peroxide for Better Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Water Deficit Conditions: Growth, Osmoregulation, and Antioxidative Defense Mechanism

“…Different methods are being used for induction of the drought tolerance in different plant species or crop cultivars, including the exogenous use of chemicals through different methods [1,7,20,68]. Drought stress is a major environmental constraint that significantly reduces the productivity of crop plants [69].…”

Fertigation of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) with Fe-Glutamate Confers Better Plant Performance and Drought Tolerance in Comparison with FeSO4

“…Exogenous application of different chemicals (organic/inorganic) is found to be an effective technique being employed, including their exogenous applications through foliar spray [17]. Studies depict that application of these chemicals as foliar sprays is being absorbed and take part in different cellular metabolic activities through their translocation to different plant parts, in order to induce stress tolerance [61] and up-regulate their own metabolism [7,61,62]. However, in the case of using chemical fertilizers as foliar sprays, the mobility and availability after their application is a problem [20].…”