Exogenous application of organic acids in maize seedlings under salt stress

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is sensitive to salt stress, with salinity threshold of 1.1 dS m^-1 in irrigation water and 1.7 dS m^-1 in soil saturation extract. However, there are differences in tolerance between genotypes, between salinity levels and types of salts present in water or soil. Studies indicate that the use of attenuating substances improves the response of plants to salt stress, such as ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, and gibberellic acid. These acids perform functions of chemical messengers, responsible for tissue formation and growth, intercellular communication mediators, assisting in the translation of stress signal and homeostasis. Here, Pereira et al evaluate the exogenous application of organic acids in maize genotypes subjected to salt stress.