Effects of drought and salinity Stress on Zea mays: A review
Maleeha Taqdees Malik*, Ira Khan, S. Maqbool Ahmed and Mohammad Faizan
Botany Section, School of Sciences, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad-500032 (India) *Correspondence: maleehataqdeesmalik@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Plants are anchored to a fixed spot by the roots; hence they are subjected to many environmental stresses which affect the growth and development of the plants. These adverse climatic conditions (stresses) can be of two types biotic and abiotic. Biotic stress may include pathogen infection and herbivore attack however, abiotic stresses include drought, heat, cold, nutrient deficiency, and excess of salt or toxic metals like aluminium, arsenate, and cadmium in the soil. Drought, salt, and temperature stresses are major environmental constraints that affect the geographical distribution of plants in nature, plant productivity, and create a menace on food security. Maize is considered as one of the most widely grown crop in the world. A complex and dynamic response is shown under stressful conditions. The changes occurring may be reversible or irreversible in nature. As the climate change drastically, it is having a direct impact on the intensity and frequency of both abiotic and biotic stresses. This review highlights current knowledge on the abiotic stress and maize plants. Drought stress mediated effects on maize plants is also displayed. Additionally, the impacts of salinity stress in maize have also been highlighted.