Department of Crop Physiology, N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj-224229, Faizabad (U.P.)
*Corresponding author's present address: Division of Seed Science & Technology, IARI, Pusa Campus, New Delhi-110012
The impact of excess soil moisture stress on maize genotypes was examined by applying waterlogging for a period of seven days at knee high stage. In general, plant growth was suppressed in all the genotypes. Genotypes namely CM 121, CM 122 and CM 132 were least affected due to the stress condition. These lines also showed better recovery for total leaf area which was considered a desirable trait for the tolerance. Better nodal root development ability has played significant role in survival of plants under waterlogging. Tasseling and anthesis were comparatively less sensitive, while silking was highly sensitive to the stress, resulting in long anthesis silking interval (ASI) and thereby barrenness of the cobs. Genotypes having <5 days ASI have performed well under the stress. The study indicated that better nodal root development and lower ASI, in general, may be used as morpho-physiological traits for screening maize germplasm against excess soil moisture stress.
Anthesis silking interval, maize genotypes, tasseling, waterlogging
