THE INFLUENCE OF ABSCISIC ACID (ABA) ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

Abstract

Background: The highest-yielding cereal crop worldwide is maize (Zea mays L.). After wheat and rice, maize is the third-most important cereal crop in Pakistan. Maize can be used as cattle feed and fodder also. Throughout the world, Maize is a major feed crop for livestock and a food crop for humans. In Pakistan, it is grown for its grain and forage. The primary factor causing a decrease in crop productivity is drought. Abscisic acid is one of the key plant growth regulators that may help maize development and yield.

Objective: The goal of the current study is to assess the impact of abscisic acid on maize.

Methodology: The study was conducted at the agronomy research area at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur.T₀ = Control, T₁ = Drought, T₂ = 100 mg/L ABA + Drought, T₃ = 200 mg/L ABA + Drought, T₄ = 300 mg/L ABA + Drought and T₅ = 400 mg/L ABA + Drought. In all the treatments, drought was imposed at tasseling stage of maize. Different agronomic parameters were observed in this experiment like plant height, cobs per plant, leaves per plant, leaf area, rows per cob, grains per row, cob length, cob weight, 1000 grain weight, grains weight per cob, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and total dry matter production.

Results: It was revealed that treatment T₅=400mg/L ABA + Drought at tasselling stage significantly enhanced the grain per cob, number of grains per row, leaf area, 1000-grain weight, grain weight per cob, number of leaves, number of cobs per plant, cob weight, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, leaf length and total dry matter production.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the application of Abscisic acid @400 mg/L at tasselling stage significantly affected all growth and yield-related parameters of maize.