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Abstract

Purpose: The silicon depletion due to crop intensification needs proper fertilizer management for sustainable agricultural development. Silicic acid treatment has emerged as a promising strategy in modulating the growth attributes of maize crop under water stress conditions. Methods: This study investigates how silicic acid administration affects maize plants, to cope with water stress. Results:- At 60% field capacity, a marked decline in fresh (2.03g) and dry (0.84g) biomass was observed as compared to 100% field capacity (2.10), (0.88) in maize plants. Silicic acid foliar application led to higher chlorophyll contents and improved enzymatic activity of key antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase and peroxidase. Drought stress is reflected in increased production of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents. However, the application of silicic acid resulted in increased accumulation of various biochemical compounds, including total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, total flavonoids, total free amino acids, and total phenolic contents. Overall, silicic acid application mitigated the adverse effects of water stress, however, 0.7 mM was the most beneficial treatment in ameliorating the negative consequences of drought stress. Conclusion: It is deduced that Si fertilizer application in the form of silicic acid enhanced the development and biochemical attributes of maize plants to withstand drought effects. The heat map and principal component analysis revealed a distinct separation of attributes related to the silicic acid treatments.

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