Nod Factor (Lipo-chitooligosaccharide) Induced Salt Tolerance of Maize

Abstract

In agriculture, salinity is an extensive problem that reduces the productivity of crops. Research in the use of signaling molecules to enhance crop performance is still in the nascent stage in India. Lipo-chitooligosaccharide(LCO) is a unique signaling molecule that, when present at the time of planting, enhances a plant's nutritional capabilities and drives the natural growth processes such as root and shoot development, immediately and irrespective of the variety, soil, and other environmental conditions. Germination and early seedling growth are important phases for maize as it is sensitive to salt stress. In the present study, the effect of priming with LCO signaling compound on growth and establishment of maize seedling grown under induced salinity levels in a lab experiment in FCRD was studied. Primed and non primed seeds of maize were sown in petri dishes and watered with saline solutions of six concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 8 and 10 dsnr1). Results of analysis of variance showed that salinity levels and priming affected seed establishment parameters of maize significantly. LCO primed seeds increased the tolerance of maize towards salinity and reduced the phytotoxicity, whereas the phytotoxicity of the non primed maize seedling increased and salt tolerance decreased with increasing levels of salinity.