Individual and concurrent effects of drought and chilling stresses on morpho-physiological characteristics and oxidative metabolism of maize cultivars

Abstract

Maize belongs to tropical environment and is extremely sensitive to drought and chilling stress, particularly at early developmental stages. The present study investigated the individual and combine effects of drought (15% PEG-Solution) and chilling stress (15C/12C) on the morpho-physiological growth, osmolyte accumulation, production and regulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activities of antioxidants in two maize hybrids i.e. XD889 and XD319 and two inbred cultivars i.e. Yu13 and Yu37. Individual and combined drought and chilling stresses stimulated the production of O 2 , H 2 O 2 , OH and enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents which led to reduced photosynthetic pigments and morphological growth.Drought, chilling and drought + chilling stress conditions induced the compatible osmolytes, ROS detoxifying proteins and antioxidants to counterbalanced the oxidative damage. It was found that the concurrent occurrence of drought + chilling stress was more lethal for maize seedling growth than the drought and chilling individual stresses. However, the performance of hybrid maize cultivars (XD889 and XD319) was better than the inbred maize cultivars (Yu13 and Yu37). For improving tolerance to individual and concurrent drought and chilling stress in maize, future research focus should be on developing genetically engineer plants that have the ability to generate specific response against sub-optimal temperature and water deficit conditions.

Response and tolerance mechanism of food crops under high temperature stress: a review

“…In spite of wide range of plant species, about 95% protein intake and calories of livestock and human have been obtained from only 20 to 25 plant species (Fuleky, 2009). Among major cereal crops, rice, maize, and wheat play central role in food demand across the globe (Hussain et al, 2019;Impa et al, 2021;Tack et al, 2015). However, climate changes have caused yield losses of these three plants species such as wheat, rice, and maize which supply 70% of total grain production worldwide (Iizumi et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2016a;Lobell et al, 2014).…”

Thermal Stresses in Maize: Effects and Management Strategies

“…Low temperature stress causes damage to macromolecules, cellular structures, and membranes due to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 22 , 36 , 66 ]. In defense, plants produce more antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and proline [ 10 , 67 ].…”

“…Maize ( Zea mays L.) crop provides 19.5% of global caloric intake from all sources [ 9 , 10 ]. Furthermore, it has also become an important industrial commodity.…”

“…Productivity loss under low temperature mainly occurs because of a strong decline in metabolite transport and photosynthetic activity [ 17 ] ( Figure 2 ). In general, low temperature negatively affects gaseous exchange, water use efficiency, morphology, and physiology [ 10 , 18 ]. Farmers sow maize early to escape heat stress at the reproductive stage, but plants are exposed to low soil temperature (below 10 °C) during early seedling establishment.…”

Cold Stress Tolerance Evaluation in Maize Double Haploid Genotypes

“…The acreage under cultivation during the rabi season shrinks however, on account of the presence of extreme low temperatures (<15 especially in the northern most plain zone of the country [1,2]. Also, as is being regularly observed on account of global climate change,…”