Despite the fact that there are many distinct types of plant growth regulators (PGRs), the diverse ways in which they regulate plant development are rarely compared. In this study, four PGRs (trehalose, chitosan, humic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid) were selected and sprayed folially, and plant samples were collected while maize was at vegetative leaf stages 6, 10, and 14 (V6, V10, and V14, respectively) to reveal the effects of different PGRs on photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation, oxidative stress, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, hormone levels, and gene expression of maize. Results showed that 100 mg/L PGRs did not induce oxidative damage or repair activities in maize. Trehalose significantly increased chlorophyll content at V6 and promoted dry matter (roots and shoots) accumulation at V6 and V10. The activities of carbon and nitrogen metabolizing enzymes were significantly enhanced by trehalose treatment, which promoted the accumulation of sucrose and soluble sugar, but did not affect the biosynthesis of auxin and gibberellin at V6. Changes in carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes are regulated by transcription of related synthetic genes. Lower starch content and higher sucrose content in trehalose-treated maize leaves are important biological characteristics. Further analysis revealed that the effect of trehalose on the metabolic activity of maize was a short-term promoting effect (0–12 days), while the effect on maize growth was a long-term cumulative effect (13–28 days). Overall, exogenous trehalose induced stronger carbon and nitrogen metabolic activity, higher photosynthetic capacity and more dry matter accumulation than chitosan, humic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Plant biostimulants (PBs) are a potential strategy to improve crop growth and grain quality. In the present study, 100 mg/L trehalose, chitosan, humic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid treatments were applied to analyze the effects of maize production and reproductive characteristics. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and grain quality were significantly affected by the PBs, but not yield. The seed germination rate of all PB treatments was significantly reduced, but the drought resistance of progeny seedlings was significantly improved, with humic acid having the strongest effect. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the disruption of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, probably due to the blockage of intermediate anabolism, reduced the supply of energy and nutrients in the early stages of germination, thus inhibiting seed germination, while the increased resistance of the offspring seedlings may be due to the up-regulation of the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and alkaloids by humic acid treatment. This study revealed the similarity and heterogeneity of the effects of different PBs on nutrient accumulation, yield characteristics and grain quality of maize, providing guidance for the application of PBs in intensive and sustainable agricultural production.
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