Adaptive nature of maize under drought as influenced by nitrogen

What is it about?

Plants have evolved different mechanisms to survive under stress conditions. This field study focused the influence of nitrogen application on dry biomass allocation and translocation in maize varieties under short pre-anthesis and prolonged bracketing flowering period of drought. Prolonged bracketing flowering period of drought had more suppressive effect on anthesis-silking interval, dry matter allocation and translocation, leaf greenness, contribution of current assimilates to grain (CCAG), kernel number, kernel weight and kernel yield of two maize varieties than a short pre-anthesis drought. Nitrogen application at optimal level was the best for all traits, except CCAG. The maize variety ‘Pioneer 30B80ʹ performed better under both drought types due to more root xylem vessels of large size and more accumulation of dry matter in leaves and roots than the variety ‘Suwan 4452ʹ.

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Why is it important?

Water and nitrogen are the most important inputs modulating the growth, development and yield formation in crop plants. Drought is the most devastating stress and may cause as much losses in crop yield as are caused by all other abiotic stresses together. Nitrogen also plays a significant role in plant biology. Nitrogen deficiency results in chlorosis and reduction in over plant growth causing decrease in grain yield. Nevertheless, overuse of N fertilizers may yield to several environmental, economic and social issues in addition an increase in the cost of production. The importance of root systems in water and nutrient uptake, and its transport to the shoot is well known. A prolific root system can better support the plant growth and captivate water from shallow soil layers. However, the productivity of maize is determined not only by the accumulation of dry matter but also depends on current assimilation and translocation, which needs to identify under different levels of water and nitrogen stress.

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