Responses of Zea mays L. cultivars under drought stress at reproductive stage

Availability of optimum water level in agricultural fields is vital in ensuring maximum yield production in maize. The reproductive stage is considered one of the most sensitive growth phases in maize to drought stress leading to a dramatic reduction in grain yield. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the morphological, physiological and biochemical responses under reproductive stage drought stress in five local maize cultivars (namely Chujak angouba, Chujak arangba, Chujak amuba, Nepali chujak). A pot experiment was carried out to elucidate the underlying drought tolerance mechanism in the five selected local maize cultivars. Our findings revealed distinct metabolic adaptations including osmolyte accumulation, enhanced antioxidant activity (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD)) and a decline in leaf moisture content. These responses are fundamental for osmotic adjustment, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification and maintaining optimum relative water content (RWC) in plant leaves. It was observed that among the five cultivars, cultivar M002 displayed a relatively superior tolerance level with enhanced osmoregulatory and antioxidant activities under drought stress thereby highlighting the occurrence of genetic variability among cultivars in response to drought stress.