Effect of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) on Germination and Seedling Parameters of Maize Varieties

Abstract

In an experimental framework employing a Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (FRBCD), a study was conducted in July 2022 at the Crop Science Institute, NARC, Islamabad. The objective was to assess the impact of different Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) concentrations on two maize cultivars Sargodha 202 and OPV-3 under drought stress conditions. With triplicate replications, each experimental unit consisted of a pot filled with 4.5 kg of dry sand, where 10 seeds were planted. The 45-day study incorporated four treatment groups: T0 (Control), T1 (10% PEG), T2 (20% PEG), and T3 (30% PEG). Data analysis revealed that increasing PEG concentrations led to a decline in key parameters such as germination rate, root elongation, and shoot development, while concurrently escalating seedling mortality in both cultivars. Statistical evaluations, carried out through the Least Significant Difference (LSD) method at a 5% significance level, highlighted notable differences between the treatment outcomes. Sargodha 202 exhibited superior performance relative to OPV-3, recording a germination rate of 91.66% as opposed to OPV-3's 83.33%. Furthermore, Sargodha 202 demonstrated enhanced root (13.08 cm) and shoot (50.08 cm) lengths in comparison to OPV-3, which showed 10.58 cm for root and 45.83 cm for shoot length. Sargodha 202 also displayed elevated levels of both root and shoot moisture content and a higher crop growth rate compared to OPV-3. Collectively, these results underscore the greater resilience and adaptability of Sargodha 202 under PEG-induced drought conditions.