Interactive Effect of Biochar and Silicon on Improving Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Attributes of Maize by Reducing Drought Hazards

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important food and feed cereals of the world, but its production is threatened by sudden climate change especially drought. While, low organic matter in soils increases the drought severity. Therefore, study was planned to investigate the interactive effect of biochar and silicon (Si) nutrition on morpho-physiological and biochemical traits under water-deficit environment. Drought stress was applied subsequent 15 days of seedlings development. Experimental treatments comprised of CK (controlled soil no drought stress nor amended), only drought (40% water holding capacity (WHC)), drought + Si (40% WHC with 100 mg Si kg(-1) soil), drought + biochar (40% WHC with 4 t ha(-1)), and drought + Si + biochar (40% WHC + 100 mg Si kg(-1) soil +4 t ha(-1)). Data were collected after 15 days of treatment application. Drought reduced the growth of maize seedlings by reducing shoot biomass (38%), seedling weight (37%), photosynthetic rate (29%), transpiration rate (28.7%), and relative water contents (23.8%) and increased the activities CAT (30%), SOD (38.5%), and POD (33%). The positive effect of sole application of biochar and silicon was observed in improving physio-biochemical traits. In addition, better results were obtained with combined application of biochar and Si in enhancing maize growth such as shoots (25%), roots (40%), and seedlings (27%) as compared with drought. Combined application of biochar and Si may be a viable option to alleviate adversities of drought stress for maize growth and development.