Water-deficit tolerance of landrace and improved corn genotypes

Josana Andreia Langner,Nereu Augusto Streck,Valeria Pohlmann,Lia Rejane Silveira Reiniger,Taís Slim,Mirta Teresinha Petry,Angelica Durigon,Isabel Lago,Stefanía Dalmolin Da Silva,Charles Patrick De Oliveira De Freitas

doi:10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2021.v56.02627

Josana Andreia Langner, Nereu Augusto Streck + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2021.v56.02627

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Abstract

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield, leaf area, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, transpiration, and critical fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSWc) of hybrid and landrace corn (Zea mays) genotypes, as affected by the water deficit characterized by the FTSW. Two experiments were carried out in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 crop years: one in the field and the other in a greenhouse. The following genotypes were evaluated in irrigated and nonirrigated systems: the Cinquentinha and Bico de Ouro landraces and the AS 1573PRO improved cultivar. Yield in the field was higher for 'AS 1573PRO', followed by Bico de Ouro and Cinquentinha in both evaluation years. Water deficit reduces stomatal opening, photosynthesis, and transpiration rate, resulting in the total closure of the stomata of 'AS 1573PRO' and Bico de Ouro, and in the partial closure of those of Cinquentinha. There was a reduction in the leaf area of 'AS 1573PRO', Bico de Ouro, and Cinquentinha under water deficit during the reproductive period. In the first crop year under water deficit conditions, 'AS 1573PRO' and Cinquentinha show a high tolerance to water deficit with a FTSWc of 0.71, and 'AS 1573PRO' also shows the highest tolerance in the second crop year with a FTSWc of 0.73. Moreover, Bico de Ouro is sensitive to water deficit in the two crop years.

Highlights

Water deficit (WD) is the main limiting factor for corn (Zea mays L.) growth and yield (Moussa et al, 2019)
The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield, leaf area, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis, transpiration, and critical fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSWc) of hybrid and landrace corn (Zea mays) genotypes, as affected by the water deficit characterized by the FTSW
The analysis of variance (Anova) for the field experiment indicated that the cultivar x soil water management interaction was not significant, individual factors showed significance; it was not possible to analyze the response of the cultivar to WD using this parameter

Summary

Introduction

Water deficit (WD) is the main limiting factor for corn (Zea mays L.) growth and yield (Moussa et al, 2019). Understanding the effect of WD on corn and identifying drought-tolerant genotypes is a promising approach to safeguard food supply (Teixeira et al, 2021) and sustainable production (Devi & Reddy, 2020). Hybrids are used when seeking to obtain high yields and an improved resource efficiency (Galvão et al, 2014), whereas landraces are key to ensure food safety for remote communities (Teixeira et al, 2021). Any approach to increase production should take into account the socioeconomic and cultural factors affecting producers, aiming to identify genotypes that can be cultivated using less water and nutrients and that have low-costing seeds (Langner et al, 2019)

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