Role of natural polysaccharides polymer, biochar and foliar application of melatonin in suppression water deficit impact on maize performance [electronic resources]

Includes references.

Due to water scarcity In Egypt, two field trials were performed to assess the irrigation requirements using three water regimes as main plots [irrigation with 7920m3 water ha-1 which represents the followed irrigation and irrigation with 6720 and 5856 m3 water ha-1which represents the water deficit], soil addition of absorbent substances as subplots [without, natural polymer (polysaccharides) and biochar] and foliar application of melatonin at rates of 0.0,1.0 and1.5 mmol L-1 as sub-subplots on the performance of maize plant. Also, water holding capacity (WHC) of soil was determined for each treatment at harvest stage. The obtained results indicated that maize plants irrigated with6720 and 5856 m3 water ha-1 possess a low performance and cumulative yield compared to plants irrigated with 7920 m3 water ha-1.Soil addition of absorbent substances improved plant performance, but the natural polymer was more effective than biochar. The improvement of maize performance was increased as rate of melatonin increased. Soil addition of absorbent substances before sowing under water level of 6720 m3 water ha-1 with foliar application of melatonin at the both studied rates realized better results than without any treatment under followed irrigation (with 7920 m3 water ha-1). Generally, water deficit stress (6720 and 5856 m3 water ha-1) led to raising antioxidants production in plant leaves, while absorbent substances and foliar application of melatonin led to a decline of the maize plant's self-production from these antioxidants.WHC values of soil after harvest elucidated that natural polymer was more effective than biochar in saving irrigation water.
Keywords: Natural polymer, melatonin, biochar and maize plant

Summary in Arabic.