Greater productivity under drought among Zea mays genotypes is linked to plant hydraulic strategies.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Many mechanisms respond simultaneously when plants are under drought stress. We examined physiological traits across six Zea mays genotypes varying in grain productivity under water limitation to identify plant strategies associated with greater productivity under limited water.

Methods

Data were collected on diurnal stomatal conductance (gs), maximum shoot hydraulic conductivity, pressurized root flow, light-adapted chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange on well-watered and water-limited plants in the field and greenhouse to identify traits and general strategies associated with grain production under water limitations in the field.

Key results

Results indicated that greater grain production was associated with greater peak gs among genotypes a

SUBMITTER: Comas LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12718040 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature