Assessment of Physio-genetic Traits for Drought Tolerance in Maize: Methods, Evaluation, Line X Tester, Heterosis, Gene Action

Non availibility of optimum moisture level to crop plants is a major cause of reduction in agricultural productivity in the world. To feed the increasing number of individuals on the earth, there must be a very clearcut objective to develop drought tolerant germplasm. This book will provide you the information about the performance of maize germplasm against different moisture levels and methodology to screen out the best performing maize accessions. Evaluation was made on the basis of survival rate, relative cell injury percentage (RCI%) and stomatal conductance. To visualize the genetic diversity at molecular level among finally selected accessions RAPD analysis was also performed. These selected accessions were hybridized in line × tester breeding fashion. The overall conclusion of the study is that RCI% is the best selection criterion against drought stress. Selected accessions A50-2, M-14, WFTMS, and N48-1 can be potentially used for hybridization program. Significant heterotic value were shown by M-14 × N48- 1 A50-2 × WFTMS and M-14 × WFTMS, and thus appeared as the most promising hybrids in the selected material.