Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Agronomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University
2
Plant breeding division, Bangladesh Agricultural research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh
3
Department of Agronomy, gazipur Agricultural university
4
Department of Entomolgy, Gazipur Agricultural University
5
Department of Agronomy, Gazipur Agricultural University
6
Department of Agronomy, gazipur Agricultural University
7
Department of Agronomy, Gazipur Agricultural university
10.21608/agro.2025.389215.1707
Abstract
Drought is one of the most critical environmental constraints limiting global maize (Zea mays L.) production, especially in regions with scarce water resources, threatening food security and sustainability. The increasing frequency of droughts due to climate change emphasizes the urgent need to develop drought-tolerant maize genotypes. Since traditional selection often overlooks complex physiological and biochemical responses associated with drought tolerance, this study integrated these traits to identify drought-resilient maize genotypes. Six maize genotypes (CML-564, CML-593, BD-814, BD-808, BD-813, and BD-821) were screened under simulated drought using polyethylene glycol and later evaluated in a pot experiment under drought (40% of field capacity) and well-watered (80%) regimes. Results showed that genotype CML-593 maintained significantly higher physiological performance under drought stress. Compared with control conditions, CML-593 recorded a 21% decrease in plant height, 18% reduction in relative water content, and 14% decline in chlorophyll concentration, notably lower than reductions in other genotypes. Meanwhile, proline accumulation increased by 150%, membrane stability by 93%, photosynthetic rate by 69%, stomatal conductance by 78%, and transpiration rate by 82% under drought stress. Conversely, drought caused a 15% increase in intercellular CO₂, 4% rise in malondialdehyde content, and 17% decrease in total soluble sugar, indicating effective oxidative stress regulation in CML-593. Integrating physiological and biochemical parameters identified CML-593 as the most drought-tolerant genotype, making it a promising donor for breeding programs and future varietal development. Further research should focus on molecular and genetic analyses to better understand mechanisms underlying these adaptive responses and accelerate development of climate-resilient maize.
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