Effect of nephthyl acetic acid foliar spray on amelioration of salt stress tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of naphthyl acetic acid (NAA) on chlorophyll, protein, proline, sugar and carotenoid contents along with certain enzymatic activities, namely peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) in two selected varieties i.e. Iqbal and Pahari of maize crop induced under salt stress of different concentrations (100mM, 80mM, 60mM, 40mm and 20mM). The experiment was conducted at the Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University Charsadda PAK during maize growing season, 10- 09- 2015. The result of the study revealed that different concentrations of NaCl affect the physiological and biochemical parameters. The anti-oxidative enzymes, such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), and sugar, proline, and proteins were found maximum in treatment T2, T4, T10 and T12 in the Pahari variety which on physiological basis was found more tolerant to the saline condition and regarding the response to exogenous application of naphthyl acetic acid (NAA) the variety Iqbal was more sensitive to salt stresses.