Ascorbic and salicylic acid regulate antioxidant defense and drought stress responses in maize.

) by 23%. However, AA + SA application reduced the overproduction of these stress indicators by 36% and 32%, through improving the activity of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase by 45% and catalase by 38%) and the accumulation of osmolytes (proline by 46% and total soluble proteins by 20%). Overall, foliar treatment with AA2 and SA2 is a long-term approach for improving maize defense mechanisms, resulting in increased plant health and production under drought-stress environments.