Exogenous Arginine as a Potential Biostimulant for Enhancing Salinity Stress Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract Salinity is a major abiotic stress that severely constrains maize (Zea mays L.) productivity. Arginine, a multifunctional amino acid, has been proposed as a potential biostimulant to mitigate stress-induced damages in plants. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of exogenous arginine on maize under salt stress by evaluating growth performance, pigment stability, water relations, and antioxidant defense. Salt stress markedly impaired physiological and biochemical functions, whereas arginine supplementation enhanced chlorophyll retention, maintained relative water content, and improved antioxidant enzyme activity, collectively reducing oxidative damage. These findings highlight the capacity of arginine to alleviate salt-induced damage through coordinated modulation of physiological and biochemical processes. Importantly, this work provides a proof-of-concept framework for the potential use of arginine in maize stress management.