Drought stress, its effect on maize production and development of drought tolerance through potassium application

Abstract

Today, the world is facing many problems for crop production among them drought is the most dangerous. Here in this paper we have reviewed the threat of drought to food security in future especially related to maize production. Water is a cooling agent plays an important role in the functioning of plant body. Drought stress have deleterious effects on the seedling establishment, vegetative growth, photosynthesis, root growth, anthesis, anthesis-silking interval, pollination and grain formation in maize crop. The deleterious effects of drought can be mediated by application of nutrients which may enhance tolerance to drought stress. Among the nutrients potassium can enhance the tolerance in maize plant for drought stress. The application of potassium enhanced root growth and stem elongation. Similarly, potassium increased leaf water potential, osmotic potential and turgor potential under drought stress. Likewise, gas exchange parameters are improved by potassium. Application of potassium enhanced the photosynthetic rate and has better effect on other attributes. Most importantly potassium is greatly helpful in transport of sugars prepared in leaves to fruit. Potassium enhanced the yield and yield related parameters of maize crop. It seems quite important to study the role of potassium for increasing the plant tolerance to drought stress and to increase yield of crop under drought stress.