Water-Stress in Relation to Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield, Plant Height and Proline Content

Abstract

Two experiments were carried-out in Research Farm of Nubaria Agricultural Research Station (46 Km. south west of Alexandria), Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agricultural. In 2014 and 2016 seasons to study the potential of some maize genotype to waterstress through yield, yield components, some agrono-mic and physiological characteristics. Four maize hybrids (T.W.C321, S.C 162, S.C 10, S.C 129), its parent (Gm. 2, Sd. 7, Sd. 63, Gz. 628, Gz 612, Gz 639, Gz 653) and four populations (DTP-1-C 7-yellow, DTP-1-C 7-white, DTP-2-C 5-yellow, DTP-2-C 5-white) were grown in a split-plot design in 4 replicates under three irrigation treatments (control, moderate and severe). Imposition of severe water treatment decreased the plant height and grain yield but increased proline content in leaves. Results showed significant differences among genotypes and water deficiency treatments for grain yield and proline content.