Chitosan Regulates the Root Architecture System, Photosynthetic Characteristics and Antioxidant System Contributing to Salt Tolerance in Maize Seedling

Qiujuan Jiao, Fengmin Shen, Lina Fan, Zihao Song, Jingjing Zhang, Jia Song, Shah Fahad, Fang Liu, Ying Zhao, Zhiqiang Tian () and Haitao Liu ()
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Qiujuan Jiao: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Fengmin Shen: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Lina Fan: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Zihao Song: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Jingjing Zhang: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Jia Song: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Shah Fahad: Department of Agronomy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
Fang Liu: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Ying Zhao: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Zhiqiang Tian: College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Haitao Liu: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: Salinity is an obstacle to global agriculture, as it affects plant growth and development. Chitosan (CTS) has been suggested as a plant growth regulator to alleviate environmental stresses. In this study, the morphological and biochemical responses of chitosan application (75 mg L −1 ) on maize seedling growth under salt stress (150 mM) were conducted with a hydroponic experiment. The results exhibited that CTS application effectively recovered salt-inhibited biomass accumulation and root architecture by increasing chlorophyll content and photosynthetic assimilation and reducing sodium content in shoots and roots by 25.42% and 5.12% compared with NaCl treatment. Moreover, salt-induced oxidative stress was alleviated by CTS application by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase and content of ascorbate. Correlation analysis and partial least squares (PLS) analysis revealed that root morphology and ascorbate play key roles for maize seedlings in response to salt stress. Based on these results, CTS application is recommended as an effective approach to enhance the tolerance of maize seedlings under salt stress.

Keywords: salinity; chitosan; maize; root architecture; photosynthesis; antioxidant enzymes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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