Effects of Foliar Application of Various Antioxidants on Growth, Physiological, Biochemical and Yield Attributes of Maize Grown Under Saline Conditions

Maize crop is cultivated for the purpose to obtain high production of grains. Term maize is derived from Latin language, meaning life benefactor. Its grains possess high nutritional values. Because of high importance of maize grains, a study was performed according to CRD by three replications to examine the mitigating effects of antioxidants such as citric acid, ascorbic acid and salicylic acid to salt toxicity. Foliar application of these three antioxidants were done at 200 ppm concentration and one treatment as mixture of 100 ppm of all three antioxidants. Data was noted for different growth, physiological and yield attributes. Analysis of data revealed that 100 ppm concentration mixture of all three antioxidants provided highest results for all attributes. The 100 ppm antioxidant mixture foliar application caused 8% increase in plant height and 29% increase in ear length as compared to controlled plants sprayed with water. It also caused significant increase in concentration of all photosynthetic pigments such as Chl a, Chl b and carotenoids. Foliar application with 100 ppm of antioxidant mixture also caused 21% increase in catalase activity and 27% increase in peroxidase activity. This treatments also helped plants to accumulate more potassium and provided lowest (0.44) Na+/K+ ratio. Hundred grain weight was observed highest (44.7) in plants sprayed with 100 ppm of antioxidant mixture. Harvest index of those plants were also highest (45.65). So, from these results it can be assumed that 100 ppm antioxidant mixture foliar application provided highest results followed by 200 ppm concentration of ascorbic acid.