Tolerance level of several hybrid maize genotypes to waterlogging stress

Abstract

Waterlogging is one of the most important constraints for maize production and productivity in many parts of the world, caused by flooding, continuous rainfall coupled with inadequate drainage or a high water table. The objective of this study was to determine the tolerance level of several hybrid maize genotypes to waterlogging stress. Screening of 27 hybrid maize genotypes was carried out in waterlogged condition and not waterlogged condition (as control) in a green house using a plastic cup of 300 ml volume in a randomized block design, 3 replications. Each genotype was planted in 5 seeds, grown by watering to V1-V2 phase which is characterized by the appearance of 1-2 complete leaves. Screening on waterlogged conditions performed on plastic-coated wooden tub. The water level during flooding is kept the same for 5 days. The results showed that the estimation of tolerance of hybrid maize genotypes to waterlogging using a flooding sensitivity index (FSI) which was calculated based on certain variables showed different FSI values for each variable. Determination of variables that have a large influence on the diversity of tolerance of maize genotypes to waterlogging can be known from the results of Principal Component Analysis. The results of the analysis show that the first principle component, the variable which has a big influence on the diversity of maize genotype tolerance to waterlogging stress is the number of roots with a proportion of diversity of 37.3%. The second principle component shows that the root length variable has a big influence with a proportion of variance of 22.52%. The cumulative proportion of the first and second major components is quite large at 59.83%. Based on the FSI root length variable, there are 3 hybrid maize genotypes that are tolerant of standing water while in the root number variable there are 13 tolerant genotypes with average fresh weight of shoot character, root number and stomata density higher than that in normal conditions.