Effect of Water logging on Selected Morphological Characteristics in Maize

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine waterlogging tolerance in acidic soils for maize crop improvement in low lying flood prone regions of Western Kenya where waterlogging is a severe problem. Three replicates of nine cultivars, seven tolerant and two susceptible accessions identified after a preliminary screening were subjected to waterlogging to select traits for tolerance to waterlogging using randomized complete block design. 17 dayold seedlings planted in acidic ferralsol soil were exposed to field capacity flooding for 10 days, drained and growth monitored. Waterlogging caused significant reduction in mean number of leaves, leaf area, root collar diameter, seedling height and grain yield. K8 recovered least from water logging. Kan2 and K27 were least affected with regard to leaf tip death and wilting. K8, Br2, K24 and C8 recorded the most significant reduction in leaf area. K3 and Kan2 recorded the least internode length. Plant height recovery was most significant in K27 and K8. Lowest reduction in yield was recorded in Br2 and K3 while the highest grain yield was K3 and Kan2. Reduction on collar root diameter had a significant influence (F value = 2.7) on total grain yield of maize in the affected accessions (y= 1.0183x – 0.5685). There exists a significant genetic variability among Kenyan maize germplasm in terms of response to waterlogging, which can be exploited for crop improvement.