Impact of drought stress on morphological and yield components in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major grain crop cultivated around the world. It is useful as a bio fuel as well as for human and animal nutrition. Increased abiotic and biotic stress events have been documented in many regions of the world as a direct result of global climate change, posing a threat to worldwide maize harvests. One of the most environmental factors is drought that affects maize crop growth, development and yield. Plants have evolved dynamic physiological, biochemical and molecular reactions that enable them to escape, avoid and survive harmful environmental conditions. Drought, more than any other abiotic stress, is a significant cause of decreasing crop yields. Maize plants, as one of the most widely distributed crops, are regularly subjected to drought stress, resulting in significant losses in final kernel yield. Plants drought stressful events included tissue and developmental stage specific characteristics. These data suggest that induced stress reduced yield by reducing plant development and yield parameters as compared to control plants. As a result, these biochemical characteristics and physiological responses may be important in the development of drought tolerance genotypes that can withstand water deficits while retaining a high yield.