Cell membrane stability and leaf water relations as affected by nitrogen nutrition under water stress in maize

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of N nutrition under water stress conditions on the cell membrane stability (CMS) measured by the polyethylene glycol (PEG) test, plant water relations, and osmotic adjustment in maize (Zea mays L.). Stressed plants showed greater adaptations to water deficits at higher N levels. Leaf water potential and osmotic potential decreased, turgor potential increased, and CMS increased with increasing N levels. Osmoregulation was evident at higher N levels with sugar and K as the major osmotic contributors. Results suggest that osmoregulation is influenced by N nutrition.