Seedling drought tolerance in maize genotypes

Abstract

Maize is one of the most important crops, but its production is threatened by drought stress worldwide. Soimproving grain yield is of great importance considering more frequent severe droughts in the climate change scenario.Hence, the present investigation was carried out at the Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Dharwad during 2020-21to study the seedling drought tolerance in 28 maize genotypes by subjecting to different osmotic levels (0 %, 10 % and 20 %)induced by poly ethylene glycol in factorial completely randomized design with three replications by using slanting platetechnique. Highly significant differences among genotypes, PEG levels and interaction between PEG levels and genotypeswas observed for all the seedling traits. High heritability coupled with high GAM was observed for germination percentageand seedling traits except germination velocity index under 20 % PEG. The genotypes PDM 4641, DIM 204, GPM 114,PML 46 and PML 93 showed less per cent reduction in germination over control at 10 % and 20 % PEG. Hence, can beconsidered as potential drought tolerant genotypes at seedling level. These genotypes could be tested for their droughttolerance and yielding ability under field conditions before utilizing them in the crop improvement programme.