Glutamic acid seed priming enhances seedling growth through metabolic and antioxidant modulation in maize (Zea mays L.)

Eduardo Reis Firmino Marques; Evelyn Drachenberg; Kailany Maria Sa Fogaça; Pedro Henrique Gorni

doi:10.18011/bioeng.2026.v20.1373

Authors

Eduardo Reis Firmino Marques Department of Agronomy, Escola Superior de Agronomia de Paraguaçu Paulista, Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
Evelyn Drachenberg Department of Agronomy, Escola Superior de Agronomia de Paraguaçu Paulista, Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil
Kailany Maria Sa Fogaça Department of Agronomy, Escola Superior de Agronomia de Paraguaçu Paulista, Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3250-2187
Pedro Henrique Gorni Department of Agronomy, Escola Superior de Agronomia de Paraguaçu Paulista, Paraguaçu Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3866-9215

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18011/bioeng.2026.v20.1373

Keywords:

Amino acid, Seed treatment, Plant Metabolism, Antioxidant activity, Growth

Abstract

Glutamic acid (Glu) is a central metabolite involved in nitrogen assimilation and cellular signaling in plants; however, its effects as a seed-priming agent in maize remain poorly understood. This study investigated the influence of Glu seed priming on germination, growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant metabolism, primary and secondary metabolism, and endogenous phytohormones in the maize hybrid FS615PWU. Seeds were primed with 0, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 mmol L⁻¹ Glu for 10 min and evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. Germination percentage was not affected by the treatments. However, seed priming promoted greater seedling vigor, resulting in increased epicotyl and root growth, total seedling length, and fresh biomass, particularly at 0.5 mmol L⁻¹. In addition, treated seedlings exhibited higher chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents, along with lower accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, indicating reduced oxidative damage. The improved redox status was associated with increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities. Glu also enhanced the accumulation of soluble sugars, starch, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids, while increasing antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, higher endogenous levels of indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid were observed in primed seedlings, suggesting stimulation of growth-related hormonal pathways. Overall, Glu seed priming improved the physiological and metabolic performance of maize seedlings during early establishment, with 0.5 mmol L⁻¹ providing the most consistent responses under the experimental conditions.

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