Physio-genetic behavior of maize seedlings at water deficit conditions

Abstract

Drought stress is limiting global crop production more seriously than ever because of rapid change in global climate. Present investigations were made with a view to understand the traits which can be used as selection criteria for drought tolerance in maize at seedling stage. For this purpose twenty-five maize inbred lines were evaluated under water deficit conditions for traits like fresh shoot weight, fresh shoot length, fresh root length, fresh root weight, leaf venation, stomatal frequency and epidermal cell size. Significant differences were found among the genotypes for various physio-genetic traits. The genotypes 20P2-1, L5-1, 150P2-1, 70NO2-2, 150P1 and L7-2 were found good performer and may be exploited for developing drought tolerant synthetics and hybrids. Fresh shoot length and fresh root weight found overall direct and indirect contributor in fresh shoot weight and they were positive and significantly correlated with fresh shoot weight. Stomatal frequency and epidermal cell size had significantly decreasing direct and indirect effects on fresh shoot weight and significant genetic correlation with it. These results suggested that fresh shoot length and fresh root weight (Increased) stomatal frequency and epidermal cell size (decreased) might be used as selection criterion while selection for high fresh shoot yield under drought conditions.