ANTIOXIDATIVE PROTECTION, GROWTH AND YIELD
OF MAIZE GENOTYPES AS INFLUENCED BY DROUGHT
F. Ahmed*,
M.A. Jahan, M.
A. Zaman, M. M. Roman and K. N. Islam
*Corresponding
Author’s Email: faruquebari@gmail.com
Abstract
A
field experiment was conducted on 6 selected maize genotypes (V1 = P1
x P4, V2 = P1 x P7, V3 =
P2 x P6, V4= Q8 x Q 8, V5
= BARI Hybrid Maize 5 and V6 = Suvrah) under well watered and
drought situation (irrigate with wilting symptom visible + one irrigation at
tasseling stage) to find out suitable genotypes for drought environment.
Drought reduced leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), leaf area index (LAI), total
dry matter production (TDM) and ultimately reduced grain yield. However,
genotypes varied in the reduction of growth parameters and yield due to drought
stress. Among the genotypes, V1, V4 and V3
showed higher LAI, TDM and grain yield (8.73, 8.51 and 8.03 t ha-1,
respectively) compared to others. But genotypes V6 and V5
produced the lowest grain yield (7.07 t ha-1 and 7.29 t ha-1).
Drought affected enzymes activity of the genotypes. It increased activity of catalase
(CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in maize
genotypes. These enzymic antioxidants are used to reduce the damaging effect of
reactive oxigen species (ROS) in plant cell under drought stress. Among the
maize genotypes, V1, V4 and V3 showed higher CAT and APX activity under drought than
others indicating that these genotypes are more capable to withstand in drought
situation compared to others. Besides, these genotypes showed higher stress
tolerance index (STI) and Geomatric Mean Productivity (GMP) compared to others.
Results revealed that genotypes V1, V4 and V3
would be suitable for growing under soil
moisture scarce environment.
Key words: Antioxidant, maize
genotypes, drought and yield.
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