Evaluation of Morphological and Physiological Traits of Maize Genotypes under Drought Stress Conditions

The purpose of the research was to determine drought-tolerant genotypes, as well as examine and contrast their responses under normal and severe drought conditions. The investigation was applied in a factorial form based on a Randomised Complete Design (RCD) with seven maize genotypes (KSC201, KSC704, KSC705, KSC706, KSC7158, KSC647, and TWC647) and drought stress at three levels (0, 2, 4, and 8 bar) in three replicates. The study revealed that the most plant height, total dry weight, and root dry weight (33.64, 2.29, and 0.83 g plant-1) were recorded in genotype KSC7158 in no-plants stress, respectively. A severe drought reduced the amount of chlorophyll and relative water content. The cultivar of KSC7158 had the most total chlorophyll and relative water content. The crop's total soluble sugar and proline concentration were increased in 8-bar conditions. The KSC647 genotype had the highest proline content, whereas the KC7158 genotype had the highest total soluble sugar. The reactions of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase increased in 8-bar conditions, with the genotypes of KSC7158 and KSC706 showing the highest enzyme activity. Furthermore, KSC7158, KSC706, and KSC201 hybrids exhibited superior growth parameters under both normal and severe drought conditions, in comparison to other hybrids. In terms of every trait examined under severe drought, the KSC7158 hybrid was found to be tolerant.