The evaluation of photosynthetic parameters in maize inbred lines subjected to water deficiency: Can these parameters be used for the prediction of performance of hybrid progeny?

Abstract

The response of selected photosynthetic and morphological parameters of plants to drought was examined in 5 inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.) and their 10 F1 hybrids. The aim of the study was to establish whether the photosynthetic performance of parental genotypes under drought conditions correlates with the performance of their progeny and whether the net photosynthetic rate, the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters or the content of photosynthetic pigments could be used as reliable physiological markers for early breeding generations. The relative importance of the additive and the nonadditive (dominance, maternal) genetic effects in the inheritance of these parameters was also assessed by means of the quantitative genetics analysis. The results showed that the nonadditive genetic effects associated with a particular combination of genotypes or a particular direction of crossing are at least equally and often even more important as the additivity and that these genetic effects almost totally change with the exposure of plants to drought conditions. This was reflected in the inability to predict the response of F1 hybrids to drought on the basis of the photosynthetic performance of their parents, which indicates that the practical usability of such parameters in maize breeding programs is rather limited.

Effect of water-saving irrigation regime on whole-plant yield and nutritive value of maize hybrids

“…Although different secondary traits, such as morphological (i.e. number of ears per plant, number of rows per ear and number of seeds, seed weight, leaf area index, root biomass) and physiological (i.e. CO 2 assimilation, relative water leaf content, leaf water potential, osmotic potential, crop evapotranspiration) characteristics have been used in breeding programs to study the response of maize to drought stress, little information on the effect of reduced amount of irrigation water on chemical composition and in particular on rumen digestibility parameters of maize plant is currently reported …”

Serratia marcescens BM1 Enhances Cadmium Stress Tolerance and Phytoremediation Potential of Soybean Through Modulation of Osmolytes, Leaf Gas Exchange, Antioxidant Machinery, and Stress-Responsive Genes Expression

“…Net photosynthesis rate (P n ), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g s ) were measured on expanded leaves of similar developmental stages with a portable gas-exchange system (LI-6400, LI-COR Inc., Lincoln, NE, USA) between 9:30 and 10:30 am, according to the methodology of Holá et al [50]. Leaf relative water content (RWC) was determined as previously explained by El-Esawi and Alayafi [12].…”

Effects of deficit irrigation and straw mulching on gas exchange of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.)

“…The photosynthesis rate (P N ) and transpiration rate (E) were measured in the leaves in situ using the portable gas exchange system LCpro+ (ADC BioScientifi c Ltd., Hoddesdon, Great Britain) by Holá et al, 2010. The physiological characteristics were measured at weekly intervals.…”