Foliar Application of Proline Improves Salinity Tolerance in Maize by Modulating Growth and Nutrient Dynamics

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2019 and 2020 summer seasons to evaluate the effect of foliar applied proline as osmoprotectant on yield and quality response of maize in calcareous saline soils. Proline was applied to maize as foliar application 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/L including no spray as control (with only water). These treatments were applied three times in a season with one month interval. The results showed that foliar application of proline increased growth, biochemical parameters, nutrient content, yield and its component including oil percent in maize under saline condition. Foliar application of proline at 400 mg/L gave the highest values of most studied parameters, but there was no significant differences were found for foliar applied 300 mg/L. Yield and its components and oil percent recorded the highest values with treatments 400 mg/L proline foliar application. The foliar applied proline (400 mg/L) showed relative increase in grain yield and oil percent of 157.2 and 79% respectively compared with control. Foliar applied proline at 400 mg/L produced the highest increase in growth, biochemical parameters, and nutrient contents which finally resulted in improved grain yield and oil percent. © 2022 Friends Science Publishers