Exogeneous application of ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide improves the productivity of hybrid maize at low temperature stress

To cite this paper: Ahmad, I., S.M.A. Basra and A. Wahid, 2014. Exogenous application of ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide improves the productivity of hybrid maize under at low temperature stress. Int. Abstract Maize being subtropical crop is sensitive to low temperature at early growth stages. Exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) can improve the seedling growth of maize at early growth stages. In these studies, the effect of exogenous application of AsA, SA and H 2 O 2 to improve the maize performance at sub-optimum temperatures was investigated in pots and field experiments.. In pot experiment, AsA, SA and H 2 O 2 were foliage applied at 20 or 40 mg L-1 at 3rd leaf stage. In field experiment, these three substances were applied as seed priming or as foliar spray. In pot experiment, foliar application of AsA, SA and H 2 O 2 at each concentration improved seedling growth, leaf relative water, chlorophyll b contents, membrane stability and enzymatic antioxidant activities in maize. In field experiment, application of these substances either through seed priming or foliar spray improved the morphological, yield related attributes and grain yield of spring maize; however, seed priming was more effective than foliar application. In conclusion, the productivity of hybrid maize can be improved by seed priming with AsA, SA and H 2 O 2 under low temperature stress.