Melatonin Pretreatment Alleviated Inhibitory Effects of Drought Stress by Enhancing Anti-Oxidant Activities and Accumulation of Higher Proline and Plant Pigments and Improving Maize Productivity

Drought stress has been shown to have harmful effects on crop productivity worldwide, including in Pakistan, due rapid climate change scenarios. Extensive work reported the influential role of melatonin (MEL) either foliar or seed-primed applications; however, its root application is seldom reported. We investigated plant biochemical responses, anti-oxidants, pigments, leaf water characteristics, and maize production, with MEL treatment under mild severe drought stress. Maize Cvar. Jalal was subjected (60% 80% full irrigation) at four-leaf stage, applied as pretreatment irrigation different doses (0, 100, 200µM). The findings study revealed that Chl a, b, a + b contents carotenoid content significantly increased during After applying 200 µM MEL, attributes, comprising relative (RWC), (LWC), saturation deficit (RSD), by 1.9%, 100%, 71.2%, respectively, 17%, 133%, 32% drought. anti-oxidant activities POD, CAT, APX were remarkably enhanced Our results showed boosted seed yield 31% 38%, biomass 29% stressors compared plants no leading tolerance.