Identification of maize (Zea mays L.) inbreeds for developing drought tolerance

Abstract

Hundred maize inbreds were evaluated for physiological, phenological and grain yield traits under managed stress conditions during rabi/summer season, 2014- 15 at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad. Inbreeds differed significantly for anthesis to silking interval (ASI), relative water content (RWC), SPAD value, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, cob height, cob weight and grain yield per plant under both non stress and stress conditions. Based on their performance, the ten selected drought tolerance inbred lines were identified based on shorter ASI, seed yield and yield components, Chlorophyll content (SPAD) relative water content (RWC). Shorter ASI under water stress condition could be effectively utilized for developing drought tolerant genotypes in maize breeding programme viz., DMIL 230, DMIL 438, DMIL 447, DMIL 516, DMIL 553, DMIL 607, DMIL 692, DMIL 715, CML 425 and NC 468; these genotypes were recorded highest grain yield under water stress condition. These inbred lines could be used as a donor parents for developing drought tolerant single cross hybrids.