PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATION OF MORINGA EXTRACTS APPLICATIONS FOR OSMOLYTES PRODUCTION IN MAIZE CROP UNDER HEAT STRESS

The research work presented in this manuscript was carried out to know the pattern of various osmolytes accumulation in maize plants exposed to heat stress after application of different types and modes of extracts of moringa plants. Two maize hybrids (SB-11 heat tolerant, ICI-984 heat sensitive) were grown under control and heat stress conditions. These were exposed to exogenously application of water and aqueous leaf (fresh and shade dried) and flower extracts of moringa plant using three different modes i.e., seed priming, medium supplementation and foliar spray. Data suggested that all the types and modes of moringa extract applications were substantially effectual in enhancing the osmolytes synthesis. Maize plants from heat tolerant hybrid indicated a greater while heat stressed plants revealed a lesser accumulation of all the omsolytes. Among the modes of extract application, the medium supplementation of extracts was substantially more effectual than foliar spray while seed priming was the least effectual. Moreover, among the osmolytes, the most conspicuous accumulation was recorded for shoot free proline and shoot glycinebetaine, while total free amino acids did not display much variation across the application modes. The differences in the synthesis of osmolytes may be attributable to the possible differences in the phytochemical constituents of extracts. Such a biosynthesis pattern of osmolytes may lead to heat tolerance in maize hybrids.