Seed Priming Modulates Physiological and Agronomic Attributes of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Induced Polyethylene Glycol Osmotic Stress

Abstract

Drought and osmotic stresses are major threats to agricultural crops as they affect plants during their life cycle. The seeds are more susceptible to these stresses during germination and establishment of seedlings. To cope with these abiotic stresses, various seed priming techniques have broadly been used. The present study aimed to assess seed priming techniques under osmotic stress. Osmo-priming with chitosan (1 and 2%), hydro-priming with distilled water, and thermo-priming at 4 °C were used on the physiology and agronomy of Zea mays L. under polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000)-induced osmotic stress (−0.2 and −0.4 MPa). The vegetative response, osmolyte content, and antioxidant enzymes of two varieties (Pearl and Sargodha 2002 White) were studied under induced osmotic stress. The results showed that seed germination and seedling growth were inhibited under osmotic stress and germination percentage, and the seed vigor index was enhanced in both varieties of Z. mays L. with chitosan osmo-priming. Osmo-priming with chitosan and hydro-priming with distilled water modulated the level of photosynthetic pigments and proline, which were reduced under induced osmotic stress; moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were improved significantly. In conclusion, osmotic stress adversely affects the growth and physiological attributes; on the contrary, seed priming ameliorated the stress tolerance resistance of Z. mays L. cultivars to PEG-induced osmotic stress by activating the natural antioxidation enzymatic system and accumulating osmolytes.

Morphoanatomical and Physiological Adaptations of Triticum aestivum L. against Allelopathic Extract of Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Horse purslane)

“…El-Shora calculated such kind of enhancement activity in chickpea after treatment with the root extract of Rumex dentatus. A plant’s oxidative stress may be compensated with the regulation of antioxidants including catalase and peroxidase. − Catalase serves as the prime defense in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. − Analogous to our work, synthetic herbicides enhanced the catalase level in cereal leaves . Plants regulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes like catalase at higher levels of stress to degrade ROS (reactive oxygen species) due to stop oxidative stress. − A high level of free amino acids under T.…”

Physiology of gamma-aminobutyric acid treated Capsicum annuum L. (Sweet pepper) under induced drought stress

“…Drought is one of the most critical factors affecting Capsicum annuum L. growth, inhibiting plant development in its early stages. Drought stress is known to prompt a decrease in respiration, photosynthesis and cause cell membrane injury in higher plants [ 73 ]. Furthermore, ROS production as a result of water scarcity lowers chlorophyll as well as carotenoids concentration [ 74 ].…”

Biochar and Seed Priming Technique with Gallic Acid: An Approach toward Improving Morpho-Anatomical and Physiological Features of Solanum melongena L. under Induced NaCl and Boron Stresses

“…Changes in climate conditions are the main source of abiotic stresses, 89 , 90 which have adverse effects on agricultural lands. 91 Such changes in climatic conditions are interlinked with each other in various aspects that negatively affect plant physiology. 92 , 93 The studies presented here were focused on the mitigating effects of woody biochar of V. nilotica L. and GA on morpho-anatomical, physiological, and biochemical aspects of S. melongena L. under induced salinity and boron stress.…”