PJB-2023-610
Assessment of growth and biochemical indicators for drought tolerance in maize genotypes
Abid Ali
Abstract
Ten maize genotypes were assessed in order to evaluate their response for drought tolerance under 100%, 60%, and 50% field capacity. Genetic variation is the unique coping mechanism of maize genotypes that are either tolerant or susceptible to varying degrees of drought. The drought stress significantly reduced the growth properties of all maize genotypes. A significant decrease in growth and the amount of chlorophyll contents was observed in maize genotypes grown under 50% field capacity. Conversely, total soluble sugars (TSS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, total flavonoids, anthocyanin, and total phenolic contents all showed a significant increase under drought stress. The results of this study demonstrated that the Gohar-19 genotype of maize was tolerant to drought stress particularly at 60% field capacity with minimum reduction in growth, while the Pak Afghoi genotype of maize showed sensitivity to various levels of drought stress with a significant decrease in all growth attributes. Maize genotypes MMRI-Yellow, Malika, Pak Afghoi, Agaiti-2002, and FH-1046 were found to be sensitive to varying degrees of drought stress, other genotypes of maize, including Neelam, Sahiwal Gold, YH-5427, and AF-5101, were found to be medium tolerant to drought stress. The Gohar-19 was the most tolerant genotype and maintained its chlorophyll contents and development under drought stress.
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