Effect of water deficit stress on agronomic traits and superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity in three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

To study the effects of water deficit stress on three maize hybrids (SC704, SC740 and NS640), an experiment was conducted in split plot based on randomized complete block design with four replications under non-stress and water deficit stress conditions at the Agricultural Research Station of University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran, in 2013. Electrophoretic analysis was performed to evaluate the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) by using 8% slab polyacrylamide gels and “density × area” values of the electrophoretic bands onto gels were scored asenzymatic activity using MCID software. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was also evaluated as cellular oxidation index in the studied hybrids under normal and water deficit stress. The results indicated that water deficit stress significantly decreased grain yield, 100-grain weight, ear diameter, ear length, plant height, plant diameter, leaf temperature, chlorophyll index, tassel branch number and tassel length. The cellular oxidation level (MDA) increased in SC704 by increasing water deficit stress. TheMn-SOD activity also increased in SC704 under water deficit showing an increase inoxygen free radicals. The results of this study showed that SC704 was tolerant to water deficit stress.

Keywords


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