SUBRAMANIAN A., SENTHIL A., SUBBARAMAN N.
Abstract
Maize occupies a prominent position in global agriculture
and is an important cereal crop of India. Growth and development of maize is
affected by drought during early crop growth stage, which ultimately results
in low crop yield. A screening experiment by DIR technique was conducted to
identify a tolerant genotype for drought during early crop growth among a set
of maize genotypes. Screening was done based on changes in some physiological
indices, which confirm resistance or tolerance to drought condition. From the
observations, it was identified that maize genotype UMI 538 was performed better
over the other genotypes in recovery growth, NRase activity, proline accumulation
during drought induction. These changes are considered as special adaptation
of that particular genotype to overcome induced drought at seedling stage. The
tolerance may be due to accumulation of proline and some low molecular weight
stress shock proteins, which are synthesized during cyclic induction of moisture
stress using PEG 6000.
Keywords:
maize, drought tolerance, DIR technique, NRase, proline,
GDR, GDS
Abbreviations used:
GDS- Growth during stress
GDR- Growth during recovery
NRase- Nitrate reductase
DIR- Drought induction response