Department of Crop Physiology, N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj- 224229, Faizabad, (U.P.).
1Present address: Division of Seed Science & Technology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012.
Ten maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes having different origin and genetic background were exposed to waterlogging for seven days at knee-high stage of the plant growth. Water logging decreased dry matter production, chlorophyll (a, b), soluble sugar and starch in different plant parts. There was considerable genetic variability with regards to the response of genotypes to waterlogging. Chlorophyll b was noted comparatively more susceptible than chlorophyll a. Of ten genotypes, three (CM 121, CM 122 and CM 132) have shown better tolerance against the stress as they maintained higher plant height, leaf area, root length, dry weight of leaves stem and root as well as better soluble sugar and starch accumulation ability. For genotypes (CM 104, CM 119, CM 116 and CM 55) were highly susceptible due to their low sugar and starch accumulation ability, especially in their stem tissues. The remaining three (CM 600, Navjot and Jaunpur Local) were noted to have moderate susceptibility probably due to their moderate sugar accumulation ability. In general, tolerant genotypes have shown moderate elongation ability and higher nodal root development after the flooding, as compared to the susceptible ones, and these characters may be used as morpho-physiological traits for identification of maize genotypes tolerant to waterlogging. Less reduction of total soluble carbohydrate and starch under flooding with recovery after the stress were found useful adaptive traits for identification of tolerant maize genotypes.
Chlorophyll, growth, maize, saccharides, waterlogging
