Responses of maize hybrids to water stress conditions at different developmental stages: accumulation of reactive oxygen species, activity of enzymatic antioxidants and degradation in kernel quality traits

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14983
• Publication Date: 2023-03-20T09:37:33Z
• Authors: Muhammad Irfan Yo...; Muhammad Waheed Riaz; Aamar Shehzad; Shakra Jamil; Rahil Shahzad; Shamsa Kanwal; Aamir Ghani; Farman Ali; Muhammad Abdullah; Muhammad Ashfaq; Quaid Hussain
• Keywords: Degradation; Water Stress

Sustainable maize production under changing climatic conditions, especially heat and water stress conditions is one of the key challenges that need to be addressed immediately. The current field study was designed evaluate impact on morpho-physiological, biochemical, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant activity kernel quality traits at different plant growth stages in hybrids. Four indigenous i.e ., YH-5427, YH-5482, YH-5395, JPL-1908, multinational hybrid NK-8441 (Syngenta Seeds) were used for study. treatments (i) Control (ii) 3-week pre-flowering stage (iii) anthesis (iv) grain filling/post-anthesis stage. presence significant oxidative revealed by overproduction species (ROXs) H 2 O (1.9 5.8 µmole g −1 FW) malondialdehyde (120.5 169.0 nmole leading severe negative impacts yield. Moreover, a reduction photosynthetic ability (50.6%, from 34.0 16.8 m −2 s ), lower transpirational rate (31.3%, 3.2 2.2 mmol alterations anatomy, reduced pigments stability, deterioration attributed stress. Water affected all three studied stages, being most vulnerable while post-anthesis least drought Antioxidant observed increase hybrids, however, highest recorded hybrids YH-5427 T-SOD increased 61.3% 37.5 U mg pro 60.5 CAT maximum 8.3 as compared 10.3 control (19.3%). overall performance much more promising than other its higher activity, better defense mechanism. Therefore, this could recommended cultivation drought-prone areas.