Effects of waterlogging stress at different growth stages on the photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield of spring maize (Zea mays L.) Under field conditions

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of waterlogging stress on the photosynthetic characteristics, dry matter accumulation (including stem, leaf, and ear), and grain yield of spring maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids Demeiya1 (DMY1) and Keyu16 (KY16). The waterlogging and subsurface waterlogging treatments were implemented for different durations (3, 6, and 9 days and 5, 10, and 15 days, respectively) at the seedling (V3), jointing (V6), and tasseling (VT) stages. The results showed that the adverse effects of waterlogging on spring maize growth varied with the duration of waterlogging and the growth stage. The most obvious effect of waterlogging stress occurred at the V3 stage, followed by the V6 and VT stages. Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase activities, as well as the photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) decreased with an increase in the duration of waterlogging, which caused a decrease in the total dry matter weight and ultimately resulted in a significant reduction in spring maize grain yield. The grain yield of DMY1 and KY16 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by 64.8% and 80.2% in the V3-9 treatment and decreased by 61.5% and 71.9%, respectively, in the V3-s15 treatment.