Comparative Analysis of Drought Tolerance in Xindan Maize Varieties at the Seedling Stage under PEG-Induced Stress

Lei Tian; Xiaoyi  Wei; Feng Wei; Dakun Shi; Zhubing Hu; Zhihong Zhao; Yige Hu; Shuwen Li; Xueshun Zhang

doi:10.54097/kz3nxh78

Authors

Lei Tian
Xiaoyi Wei
Feng Wei
Dakun Shi
Zhubing Hu
Zhihong Zhao
Yige Hu
Shuwen Li
Xueshun Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/kz3nxh78

Keywords:

Maize, Drought Stress, Seedling Stage, PEG, Physiological Response

Abstract

Drought is a major constraint on maize production, particularly in the Huang–Huai–Hai region of China. This study aimed to evaluate drought resistance of newly developed maize varieties at the seedling stage. A 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution was used to simulate drought stress. Two maize varieties, Xindan 58 and Xindan 65, were analyzed for morphological and physiological traits, including plant height, primary root length, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline (PRO), and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POD, and SOD). The results reveal that drought stress significantly reduced plant height (21.6%–45.1%) and primary root length (30.8%–40.1%). Chlorophyll content decreased by 20.5%–29.2%. In contrast, proline content increased markedly (358.1%–4438.7%), and antioxidant enzyme activities were enhanced. MDA content showed a decreasing trend in most varieties. The magnitude of these responses differed among varieties. Overall, both Xindan 58 and Xindan 65 exhibited drought resistance at the seedling stage, with Xindan 58 showing a stronger tolerance. These findings provide useful information for drought-resistant maize breeding and variety selection.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] HUANG Y C, LI J M, DUAN L S, et al. Drought resistance of maize seedlings induced by betaine[J]. Journal of Maize Sciences, 2011, 19(1):95-100.

[2] SUN C X, SHEN X Y, LIU Z G. Status and advances in studies on the physiology and biochemistry mechanism of crop drought resistance[J]. Rain Fed Crops, 2002,22(5):285-288.

[3] BIAN S, JIANG Y. Reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression patterns in leaves and roots of Kentucky bluegrass in response to drought stress and recovery[J]. Scientia Horticulturae, 2009, 120(2): 264-270.

[4] FOYE C H, NOCTOR G. Oxidant and antioxidant signaling in plants: a re-evaluation of the concept of oxidative stress in a physiological context[J]. Plant Cell and Environment, 2005, 28(8): 1056-1071.

[5] EFEOGLU B, EKMEKEI, CICEK N. Physiological responses of three maize cultivars to drought stress and recovery[J]. South African Journal of Botany, 2009,75(1): 34-42.

[6] WANG X Q, YUAN J C, XIONG Q E. Present situation and prospects of study in maize drought resistance[J]. Journal of Maize Sciences, 2002,10(1):57-60.

[7] BU J Z, WEI J W, YUE H W, et al. Study on drought resistance of different maize varieties[J]. Acta Agriculturae Shanghai, 2019,35(6):34-38.

[8] ZHANG Q, ZHANG H S, LIU S M, et al. Identification of drought resistance of different high-yield maize cultivars[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2012,28(30):125-130.

[9] ZHANG W X, DUAN Y X, ZHANG S, et al. Comprehensive evaluation of drought resistance in maize varieties based on three water conditions[J]. Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 2022,40(1):163-174,183.

[10] ZHOU F, CAO G F, YANG J, et al. Identification and evaluation of drought resistance of twenty maize varieties in germination period[J]. Seed, 2020,39(12):73-79.

[11] CHENG K, SU X H, LI J Z, et al. Identification and evaluation of maize drought resistance under PEG-6000 stress at germination stage[J]. Journal of Maize Sciences, 2017,25 (5):85-90.

[12] XUE C Y, LIU R H, MA Z H. Drought grade classification of summer maize in Huang-Huai-Hai area[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 2014, 30(16): 147-156.

[13] ZHANG X X. Comprehensive spatio-temporal evolution of summer maize drought in Huang-Huai-Hai Plain[D]. Shenyang: Shenyang Agricultural University, 2020.

[14] LI Z G, LI J H, DU C K, et al. Simultaneous measurement of five antioxidant enzyme activities using a single extraction system[J]. Journal of Yunnan Normal University, 2002, 22 (6): 44- 48.

[15] DHINDSA R S, PLUMP- DHINDSA P, THORPE T A. Leaf senescence correlated with increased levels of membrane permeability alipid peroxidation, and decreased levels of superoxide dismutas and catalase[J]. Journal of Experimental Botany, 1981, 32(126): 93- 101.

[16] TATIANA Z, YAMASHITA K, MATSUMOTOH. Iron deficiencyinduced changes in ascorbate content and enzyme activities related to ascorbate metabolism in cucumber roots[J]. Plant Cell Physiology, 1999, 40: 273-280.

[17] MISHRA N P, MISHRA R K, SINGHAL G S. Changes of antioxidant enzymes in the activities of anti oxidant enzyme during exposure of intact wheat leaves to strong visible light at different temperatures in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors[J]. Plant Physiology, 1993, 102(3):903- 910.

[18] AGARWAL S, SAIRAM R K, SRIVASTAVA G C, et al. Changes in antioxidant enzymes activity and oxidative stress by abscisic and salicylic acid in wheat genotypes[J]. Biologia Plantarum, 2005, 49(4): 541-550.

[19] ZHANG D Z, WANG P H, ZHAO H X. Determination of the content of free proline in wheat leaves[J]. Plant Physiology Communication, 1990(4):62- 65.

[20] SHI G Z, ZHAO Z, ZHANG W X, et al. Genetic correlation and path analysis of agronomic traits for maize inbred lines under drought stress[J]. Southwest China Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2008,21(3):33-37.

[21] LI Z G, LIANG X L, LEI Z G, et al. Study on drought tolerance of major agronomic traits of 28 maize inbred lines[J]. Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences, 2010,47(3):449-456.

[22] QIN P, LIU Y J, LIU F H. Effects of drought stress on malondiadehyde content and cell membrane permeability in tobacco leaves[J]. Subtropical Plant Science, 2004,33(4):8-10.

[23] YANG J, JIANG Y M, ZHOU F, et al. Effects of PEG simulated drought stress on seedling morphology and physiological characteristics of different drought-resistance maize varieties[J]. Crops, 2021(1):82-89.

[24] LIU C, LI ZUO T, YANG K J, et al. Effects of water stress and subsequent rehydration on physiological characteristics of maize (Zea mays) with different drought tolerance[J]. Plant Physiology Journal, 2015,51(5):702-708.

[25] LI H J. Physiological mechanism of different maize varieties in response to drought stress[D]. Yangling: Northwest A&F University, 2021.