Physiological and Biochemical Evaluation of Fe-Efficiency in Fe-Deficient Maize Genotypes

Iron (Fe) deficiency is prevalent particularly incalcareous soils of arid and semiarid regions. The present study aimed toinvestigate the response of eight local maize genotypes to Fe deficiency. Inaddition, a Fe- efficient (WF9) and a Fe-inefficient (ys1) indicator genotypeswere used in this study. All genotypes were grown in growth chamber for 21 daysin two levels of Fe, sufficient [+Fe (FNS) = 20 µM Fe EDTA] and deficient [-Fe (FNS)= 2 µM Fe EDTA] Fe supply. Shoots dry weight, Fe concentration and uptake inshoots, active iron concentration, peroxidase activity and cholorophyll contentwere determined and their validities as screening parameters were discussed.Generally, genotype (WF9) as the Fe efficient indicator and genotype (34) werethe less affected by Fe-deficiency. Genotype (ys1) as the Fe inefficientindicator and genotype (62) were highly affected when grown in the nutrientsolution with the deficient Fe supply. The present study emphasize that shootdry weight, Fe uptake, active Fe content, chlorophyll content and peroxidaseactivity could be used for evaluating the present maize genotypes for Feefficiency.

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