PJB-2024-584
ARSENIC STRESS TOLERANCE IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) THROUGH MORINGA LEAF POWDER AND COCONUT SHELL HUSK SUPPLY
Yahya M. Alzahrani
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a metalloid that represents a major environmental threat. It infiltrates the environment from various sources such as fossil fuel combustion, coal burning, smelting, marine sedimentary rocks, hydrothermal activity, volcanic eruptions, mining and agricultural residue. The presence of arsenic in soil hampers agricultural productivity, particularly impacting maize crops. Arsenic negatively influences plant growth, development, and biomass yield in maize which is the important cereal crop and serves various purposes such as food and fodder. Pot study was conducted with complete randomized design having seven treatments and four replications. The growth medium was contaminated with varying As levels (control, 25, 50 ppm) along with the application of moringa leaf powder and coconut shell husk @ 0.5% into the soil. The results revealed that As-contaminated maize plants significantly reduced the morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes and this reduction was more prominent at higher rate of As application. Moreover, As-contaminated plants with coconut shell husk (CSH) supply showed significant improvement in morphological (plant shoot 37%, 25% and root length 15%, 18%, fresh 28%, 63% and 13%, 38%, root volume 22%, 22%, root diameter 25%, 24%), physiological (RWC) 36%, 25%, SPAD value 36%, 22% and biochemical (SOD 79%, 36% and CAT 38%, 13%) attributes as compared to moringa leaf powder (MLP). But response of both these amendments CSH and MLP was non-significant in case of shoot and root dry weight, leaf area, root tips, MSI, SPAD value, POD and APX and ionic attributes under As- contaminated maize plants. It was concluded that supply of coconut shell husk was more effective in alleviating the As stress in maize relative to moringa leaf powder.
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