Evaluation of Six Maize (Zea Mays L.) Varieties for Drought Tolerances Using Biochemical Indices Associated With Drought Tolerance

Abstract

Drought is one of major stress factor, which results in a profound effect on plant growth and yield. The effect becomes severe mainly where rain fed agriculture is practiced. Having this thought, assessing of variety that can better tolerate such condition can help for screening and are important in reducing associated yield loss. Maize (Zea mays L.) variety has been hypothesized to be of different genetic make-ups; hence this study was conducted to evaluate drought-tolerance of maize variety under drought stress and normal conditions. The study was carried out in greenhouse using completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Six maize variety MH-140, Melkassa-2 (MH-2), Melkassa-3 (MH-3), Melkassa-4 (MH-4), Melkasa-6Q and MHQ138 were used and grown under wellwatered and water stress condition. Data were collected for growth parameters of specific leaf area (SLA) and specific leaf weight (SLW), Biochemical parameters such as leaf proline, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, relative water content, leaf nitrogen (N) content and protein content. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.4. Mean comparisons were performed using LSD test at P < 0.05. The result was interpreted with table. Based on SLA and SLW value, Melkassa-4 (MH-4) was observed to be drought tolerant whereas, MHQ138 was drought sensitive variety. Leaf proline, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, relative water content, leaf nitrogen (N) content and protein content, value had revealed Melkassa-4 drought tolerant variety whereas MHQ138 was drought sensitive variety.