Use of anti-transpirants in maize cultivation as a potential novel approach to combat drought stress in the wake of climate change. A systematic review

Abstract

The maize crop is highly dependent on rainfall and it is sensitive to drought. However, the planet is experiencing frequents droughts due to climate change which is adversely impacting on the food production. It is crucial that the agricultural sector is adapted to the negative consequences of climate change. The antitranspirants which reduce the water loss through transpiration could be potential novel approach to ameliorate the effects drought on rain fed maize cultivation in Malawi. This review has analysed the effects of antitranspirants on the growth, yields of maize plants, environment and pathogens and diseases that affect the maize plants. It has found that antitranspirants help to improve vegetative growth and biological yield of the maize plant by reducing the transpiration rate and improving water use efficiency of the plants. The review has found that chitosan and the fulvic acid have been extensively studied on maize as compared to other antitranspirants .Therefore, antitranspirants could help to could be used to ameliorate the effects of drought on maize crops but there is need to do a cost benefit analysis on whether it is economically viable to use antitranspirants on food crops like maize. Di-1-p-menthene is reported to cost less money as such there is need study how this antitranspirants ameliorate the effects of water stress on maize .There is also a need to study the timing of the application of the antitranspirants to the maize plant under dress.