Department of Botany, Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, U.P.
* Present address: Department of Life Sciences, University of Indore, Indore (M.P.)
The effects of presowing soaking treatment of maize seeds with ascorbic acid and salicylic acid and a combination of the two on seed germination, seedling growth, nitrate assimilation and lowering were studied. Ascorbic acid stimulated seed germination whereas salicylic acid either alone or in combination with ascorbic acid, inhibited it. Growth of root and shoot were inhibited by salicylic acid and to some extent by ascorbic acid also. Ascorbic acid, however, increased the growth of primary leaves. Although, nitrate reductase activity in the growing parts of the seedling was little affected by these treatments, 80 per cent ethanol-soluble and protein nitrogen in the leaves were enhanced significantly by ascorbic acid treatment and also by a combination of the two acids. Both these acids, either individually or in combination, hastened the flowering and ear emergence. These results are discussed in the light of possible mechanism of action of these acids on plant growth.
