Effect of Ascorbic Acid Foliar Application on Grain Yield and Morphophysiological Traits in Corn under Water deficit Stress

The current research goal at understanding the impact of an ascorbic acid foliar application under water deficit stress on corn plants at the field conditions.

The experiment was carried out as a split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station of Ardabil in the sweet corn (Hybrid Chase; the Seminis Company). The main plots were four levels of water deficit stress including irrigation after 70 (as control), 100, 130, and 160 mm evaporation from the class A pan, and the sub-plots were four levels of ascorbic acid as 0, 150, 200, and 250 ppm.

Foliar application of ascorbic acid had a significant effect on grain yield, seed attributes, plant height, biomass, pigment contents, and leaf area in corn plants under water deficit stress. Water deficit stress dressed grain yield, plant height, biomass, pigment contents, and leaf area. The heights grain yield was achieved at 70 mm evaporation from class A with foliar application of 150 and 250 ppm ascorbic acid. The heights of pigment contents were achieved at 100 mm evaporation from class A with foliar application of 150 ppm ascorbic acid, and also the heights leaf area of the corn plant was achieved at 100 mm evaporation from class A with foliar application of 250 ppm ascorbic acid. High significant correlations were observed between grain yield and seed attributes, plant height, biomass, and leaf area in the corn plant.

Although the foliar application of ascorbic acid reduced the water deficit stress effects, it also and improved the grain yield of the corn plant.