Title : Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes to Aluminium Toxicity in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Abstract:
Breeding maize for tolerance to acidic soils could improve maize yields. The current study aimed to identify maize genotypes with tolerance to highly acidic soils as well as finding secondary traits associated with tolerance to soil acidity at the seedling stage. Ten maize varieties were screened for tolerance to soil acidity under glasshouse conditions as well as in the laboratory. In the glasshouse, two soil acidity levels (limed and unlimed soil) were used and the experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment lasted for 10 days and measurements were taken on plant height (PH), leaf area, stem diameter and dry matter. In the laboratory, a haematoxylin staining (HS) experiment was conducted to determine the response of the 10 maize varieties to aluminium (Al) toxicity. Two Al concentrations (0 and 222 µM) were used and the experiment was set up in a CRD with three replications. After 7 days, shoot length, was recorded. Five stress tolerance indices were estimated to determine the resilience of each genotype. A root growth stress tolerance index was also computed in both experimental procedures. The glasshouse and laboratory assays identified similar tolerant genotypes of maize.
