Impact of Methyl Jasmonate on Antioxidant Activity and Some Biochemical Aspects of Maize Plant Grown under Water Stress Condition

Abstract

A pot-culture study was undertaken to investigate the possible role of Methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-treatment on the earlier vegetative growth stage and different chemical constituents of maize cultivar (Giza-2) plants subjected to water stress. The grains were divided into two groups: first group was pre-soaked in water, and the second one was pre-soaked in 50 μM MeJA for 8 h. The plants were subjected to different levels of water field capacity (WFC) 65%, 55% and 45%. The results showed that pre-soaking maize grains with MeJA led to increases in plant growth criteria evident in terms of plant height, fresh and dry weight of plant. The pigment levels concomitantly with total carbohydrates, total soluble sugar, polysaccharides, as well as free amino acids, proline and total protein content were markedly increased. Moreover, the application of the investigated MeJA significantly improved growth hormone in terms of IAA. In contrast ABA level was markedly declined in maize plant. The activities of oxidative CAT, POX and SOD were also increased with MeJA. In addition, the N, P and K content was increased significantly in shoot. As a conclusion, soaking maize grains with MeJA could alleviate the harmful effects of water stress.