Response and Adaptability of the Growth of Leaves, Stems and Roots of Maize to Drought Stress

The response and adaptability of the growth of stems, leaves and roots of maize to drought stress are lucubrated under the conditions of artificial rain-proof shelter and natural field. The experiment of response of growth of the different maize varieties to moderate drought stress (the soil moisture content was maintained in a range of 45%～50% of the maximum water carrying capacity of soil in farmland) was carried out at seedling stage (June 8), jointing stage (June 25), boot stage (July 8), florescence (July 21) and milking stage (August 13). The results show that the response and adaptability of the growth of stems and leaves of maize to drought stress are more sensitive than that of roots. Moderate drought stress can promote the growth and development of roots of maize only at seedling stage, and it restrains the growth of stems, leaves and roots of the different maize varieties. The maize plants with high drought-resistant capability can grow normally under drought stress by increasing their leaf area, dried-biomass accumulation, active absorption surface area and total absorption area of roots. The experimental results also reveal that the moderate drought stress restrains strongly the growth and development of all the maize varieties at the different stages except the variety of Yuyu 3, which has a high drought-resistant capability, and the reductions of its leaf area, dried-biomass, shooting ratio and active absorption area of roots are less under drought conditions.