Evaluation of water deficit tolerance in maize genotypes using biochemical, physio-morphological changes and yield traits as multivariate cluster analysis

Drought is an abiotic stress that inhibits plant growth and development and, therefore, declines crop productivity, as seen in maize plant. The aim of this investigation was to identify the candidate varieties can be grown under water limited conditions using physio-morphological yield attributes. Eight genotypes including ‘Suwan4452’ (drought tolerant) a positive check, ‘CP301’, ‘CP-DK888’, ‘DK7979’, ‘DK9901’, ‘Pac339’, ‘S7328’, ‘Suwan5’ were selected test plants. Physiological, biochemical morphological characteristics at seedling (24 day after sowing; DAS) reproductive (80 developmental stages plants 20-day withholding (WD), traits harvesting period analysed. Leaf temperature each genotype increased with degree deficit stress, leading leaf chlorosis, reduction maximum quantum PSII (Fv/Fm), photon (?PSII), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), overall yield. Pn stomatal conductance (gs) drought tolerant genotype, ‘Suwan4452’, decreased by 19.1% 18.6%, respectively, whereas these sensitive, significantly declined 53.9% 61.8%, respectively. Physio-morphological parameters, performance yield-related well-watered subjected Ward’s cluster method for identification cultivars. Maintaining abilities, osmotic adjustment CWSI evidently demonstrated keep Based on multivariate analysis PCA (principal component analysis), ‘CP-DK888’ ‘S7328’ categorized ‘Suwan5’, ‘CP301’ ‘DK9901’ identified susceptible Hybrid cvs. may further suggested rainfed area without irrigation.