Silicon Seed Priming Combined with Foliar Spray of Sulfur Regulates Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Systems to Confer Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract The present study evaluated the effect of silicon (Si) seed priming and sulfur (S) foliar spray on drought tolerance two contrasting maize hybrids viz. tolerant Hi-Corn 11 susceptible P-1574. seeds were primed with (3 mM Na 2 SiO 3 ) or without Si (hydropriming) later sown in pots filled sandy loam soil. Drought stress (25–30% water holding capacity WHC) was initiated at cob development stage (V5) for weeks, whereas well-watered plants grown 65–70% WHC. On appearance symptoms, S done using 0.5% 1.0% (NH 4 SO , used as a control. drought-stressed further weeks 25–30% WHC before final harvest. results showed marked biomass, physiological enzymatic processes well macronutrient concentrations maize. In comparison to control, highest increase leaf relative content (25%), chlorophyll (56%), carotenoids (26%), photosynthetic rate (64%), stomatal conductance (56%) intercellular CO concentration (48%) observed by + (Si S) under deficit conditions. Also, application stimulated activity catalase (45%), guaiacol peroxidase (38%) superoxide dismutase (55%), improved NPK (40–63%) limitations. Our suggest that is more effective than individual these nutrients enhance