Analysis of Adaptive Response of Maize (Zea mays) Varieties from DR-Congo to Water Stress ()
Affiliation(s)
1National Institute for Research and Agronomic Studies (INERA), Kinshasa, Congo.
2Universite Nationale Pedagogique (UPN), Kinshasa, Congo.
3Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Congo.
4Department of Biological Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada.
ABSTRACT
Maize
production in tropical Africa is often negatively affected by drought. The main
objectives of the present study were to 1) analyze the impact of water stress
on the agro-morphological performance of two varieties of Quality Protein Maize
(QPM) compared to two normal maize varieties and 2) assess their adaptive
response in contrasting water environments. Agro-morphological responses to
water deficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) were assessed in controlled experiments using
four maize varieties, two normal maize (Zm725 and Mus1) and two quality protein
maize (Mudishi1 and Mudishi3) varieties. They were subjected to three water
regimes (100%, 60%, 30% water retention capacity) at the beginning of the bloom
stage, using a Fischer block design with four replications. Significant differences
(p < 0.05)
among varieties, water regimes and their interactions for plant growth and
production parameters were observed. Reduction of water supply to plants caused
changes in aerial and underground plant growth. Plant stem height, foliar
expansion, and root system development characterizing vegetative growth showed
variation in varietal response to water regimes. Mus1 (normal maize variety) was the best adapted to variations in water regimes
because they developed an important root volume to adapt to the effects of
water deficit while maintaining their morphological and productive characteristics.
Share and Cite:
Tshiabukole, J. , Kankolongo, A. , Khonde, G. , Djamba, A. , Vumilia, R. and Nkongolo, K. (2017) Analysis of Adaptive Response of Maize (
Zea mays) Varieties from DR-Congo to Water Stress.
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
8, 2282-2295. doi:
10.4236/ajps.2017.89153.