EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ASCORBIC ACID AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON MAIZE UNDER SALT STRESS

Maize is a vital cereal crop for mankind all over the world but its yields get affected by number of ecological stresses. Corn production is sensitive to abiotic issues; salinity reduces development of corn crops. This experiment was performed to check relation of salinity with maize and effect of foliar spray of ascorbic and gibberellic acid under saline and non-saline conditions. The highest value (193.11 µg g-1 F.Wt.) of proline was observed in Akbar at 110 mM NaCl stress and under foliar spray of ascorbic acid (240 ppm) and gibberellic acid (220 ppm) in combination, as the accumulation of proline help the plant against reactive oxygen species so this increase is helpful for plants to combat stress. The highest value (5.05 Unit g-1 F.Wt.) of ascorbate peroxidase was observed in Akbar at 110 mM NaCl stress and under foliar spray of ascorbic acid (120 ppm) and gibberellic acid (110 ppm) in combination and increase in levels by foliar sprays also play role in plants defence. The lowest value of total soluble protein (1.13 mg g-1 F.Wt.) was observed in Akbar at 110 mM NaCl without any exogenous spray as high salt stress break down proteins into amino acids and as a result concentration of amino acid increase due to salt stress. The exogenous application of ascorbic acid (240 ppm) and gibberellic acid (220 ppm) in combination was helpful for plants against the effects of salinity and improved the proline and ascorbate peroxidase in leaves of both maize varieties at vegetative stage under stress conditions.