Osmotic Adjustment and Stomatal Response to Water Deficits in Maize

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Abstract
A pot experiment was carried out using five maize {Zea mays L.) cultivars under three soil moisture levels (MPa 0 to −0.05, −0.3 to −0.9 and −1.2 to −1.5) to investigate the effects of water deficits on osmotic adjustment and stomatal conductance. The degree of leaf rolling and the sugar and nutrient concentrations in leaf cell sap were measured. Leaf water potential and osmotic potential decreased and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing water deficits. Stomatal conductance correlated positively with leaf water potential and osmotic potential. Degree of leaf rolling was lower in cultivars which maintained higher turgor. Osmotic adjustment of 0.08 to 0.43 MPa was found under the lowest soil moisture level in five cultivars used. Sugar and K were the major osmotic substances in the maize plant. Sugar, K and Mg concentrations increased under water deficit, and correlated negatively with a decrease in osmotic potential.

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