Exogenous application of urea and a urease inhibitor improves drought stress tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.).
Drought is believed to cause many metabolic changes which affect plant growth and development. However, it might be mitigated by various inorganic substances, such as nitrogen. Thus, the study was carried out to investigate the effect of foliar-applied urea with or without urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on a maize cultivar under drought stress simulated by 15% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 6000. Foliar-applied urea resulted in a significant increase in plant dry weight, relative water content, and photosynthetic pigments under water stress condition. Furthermore, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and hydrogen peroxidase (CAT), were enhanced with all spraying treatments under drought stress, which led to decreases in accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion ([Formula: see text]) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The contents of soluble protein and soluble sugar accumulated remarkably with urea-applied under drought stress condition. Moreover, a further enhancement in above metabolites was observed by spraying a mixture of urea and urease inhibitor as compared to urea sprayed only. Taken together, our findings show that foliar application of urea and a urease inhibitor could significantly enhance drought tolerance of maize through protecting photosynthetic apparatus, activating antioxidant defense system and improving osmoregulation.
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.
Wei
W
Gou
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.
Pufan
P
Zheng
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.
Li
L
Tian
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China.
Mei
M
Gao
State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, People's Republic of China. zhanglixin@nwsuaf.edu.cn.
Lixin
L
Zhang
Department of Botany, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Nudrat Aisha
NA
Akram
Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Muhammad
M
Ashraf
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D055864:Droughts; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D064587:Osmoregulation / Q000502:physiology; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism*; D014510:Urease / Q000187:drug effects*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D003313:Zea mays / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*
D000975:Antioxidants; C120049:N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D010940:Plant Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014867:Water; D013481:Superoxides; C000595215:Polyethylene Glycol 6000; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D014508:Urea; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010544:Peroxidases; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D014510:Urease
Drought stress; N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT); Urea; Zea mays L.