Effect Of Drought Stress Tolerance In Maize (Zea Mays L.) And Pearl Millet (Pennisetum Glaucum L.)

ABSTRACT

This investigation is to determine the physiological basis of water deficit stress in pearl millet,

(Pennisetum glaucum) and maize (Zea mays). Crops were grouped into two categories, each

representing a treatment and replicated 3 times. Category (1) which serve as the control

received 100ml of water every 2 days t)1roughout the experimental period. Category (2)

received 100ml of water every 2 days for 6 weeks before subjecting them to simulated drought.

Physiological parameters evaluated after the treatment include biomass, relative water content

of leaf, leaf area, chlorophyll level and leaf epidermal quantification. Analysis of variance was

also found to be significant for genotypes, treatments and their interactions at 0.05% level. The

results showed drought caused decrease in biomass, chlorophyll, relative water content (R WC),

leaf area, and adaxial epidermal surface of Zea mays exposed to drought, while in Pennisetum

glaucum, showed a significant increase in root/shoot ratio, biomass, and abaxial epidermal

surface under drought condition. Therefore, the comparative analysis of these two genotypes

under well-watered and water deficit stress condition revealed that P. glaucum was superior over Z. mays indicating that such relationships can be positively attributed to drought tolerance.