Effect of Calcium and Calmodulin on Intrinsic Heat Tolerance in Relation to Antioxidant Systems in Maize Seedlings

Pretreatment of maize ( Zea mays L.) seeds with CaCl2 solution significantly raised calcium and calmodulin levels and enhanced intrinsic heat tolerance in maize seedlings. This enhancement is specific to Ca2+ and cannot be substituted by Mg2+. In contrast, treatments with the Ca2+ chelator EGTA o…