Silicon Seed Priming Combined with Foliar Spray of Sulfur Regulates Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Systems to Confer Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The present study evaluated the effect of silicon (Si) seed priming and sulfur (S) foliar spray on drought tolerance of two contrasting maize hybrids viz. drought tolerant Hi-Corn 11 and susceptible P-1574. The maize seeds were primed with (3 mM Na2SiO3) or without Si (hydropriming) and later sown in pots filled with sandy loam soil. Drought stress (25–30% water holding capacity or WHC) was initiated at cob development stage (V5) for two weeks, whereas the well-watered plants were grown at 65–70% WHC. On appearance of drought symptoms, foliar spray of S was done using 0.5% and 1.0% (NH4)2SO4, whereas water spray was used as a control. The drought-stressed plants were grown for further two weeks at 25–30% WHC before the final harvest. The results showed a marked effect of Si seed priming and foliar S spray on biomass, physiological and enzymatic processes as well as macronutrient concentrations of maize. In comparison to control, the highest increase in leaf relative water content (25%), chlorophyll a content (56%), carotenoids (26%), photosynthetic rate (64%), stomatal conductance (56%) and intercellular CO2 concentration (48%) was observed by Si seed priming + S foliar spray (Si + S) under water deficit conditions. Also, Si + S application stimulated the activity of catalase (45%), guaiacol peroxidase (38%) and superoxide dismutase (55%), and improved NPK concentrations (40–63%) under water limitations. Our results suggest that Si seed priming + foliar spray of S is more effective than the individual application of these nutrients to enhance drought tolerance in maize.