Abstract
Aim of experiments was to monitor immediate impact of water deficit on energy content in selected genotypes of maize. A broader genotype set of maize types was selected as experimental material (5 in-bred parental lines and their cross-breeds).
Maize plants were cultivated under controlled conditions in a climate box. Plants from control group were irrigated at 70% of the field water capacity.
In stressed group, irrigation was completely stopped for 18 days. Energy content was identified by combustion calorimeter IKA C200.
It follows from obtained results that the energy content in DM of roots was lowest in stressed plants 704*810 (15.96 kJ/g) and highest in control plants 2086 (21.19 kJ/g). Provably lowest energy content in DM of leaves was identified in stressed genotype 23*86 – 16.97 kJ/g and highest in leaves was identified in control genotype 704*13 (19.82 kJ/g).
Genotype 810*13 responds sensitively to stress caused by drought and genotype CE704 seems to be tolerant to this kind of stress.