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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Imaging and Analysis for Quantifying Maize (Zea mays) Abiotic Stress Phenotypes
Published on: March 28, 2025
Interactive effects of drought and heat stresses on morpho-physiological attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and
Hafiz Athar Hussain1,2, Shengnan Men1, Saddam Hussain3
1Key Laboratory of Eco-environments in Three Gorges Reservoir Region/Engineering Research Center of South Upland Agriculture, Ministry of Education/College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
Abstract:
Maize is a sensitive crop to drought and heat stresses, particularly at the reproductive stages of development. The present study investigated the individual and interactive effects of drought (50% field capacity) and heat (38 °C/30 °C) stresses on morpho-physiological growth, yield, nutrient uptake and oxidative metabolism in two maize hybrids i.e., 'Xida 889' and 'Xida 319'. The stress treatments were applied at tasseling stage for 15 days. Drought, heat and drought + heat stress caused oxidative stress by the over-production of ROS (O2-, H2O2, OH-) and enhanced malondialdehyde contents, which led to reduced photosynthetic components, nutrients uptake and yield attributes. The concurrent occurrence of drought and heat was more severe for maize growth than the single stress. However, both stresses induced the metabolites accumulation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants to prevent the oxidative damage. The performance of Xida 899 was more prominent than the Xida 319. The greater tolerance of Xida 889 to heat and drought stresses was attributed to strong antioxidant defense system, higher osmolyte accumulation, and maintenance of photosynthetic pigments and nutrient balance compared with Xida 319.
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