Research on Rewatering Post-Drought Growth Recovery Capacity and Physiological Characteristics of Different Maize Varieties

In this study,to explore the relationship of post-drought recovery capacity and physiological and biochemical response during drought and rewatering,we selected two maize varieties,‘Zhengdan 958' and ‘P3'with similar drought resistance but different resilience as experiment materials.The changes of growth,water status,photosynthetic parameters,chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and chlorophyll content were studied with potted experiment during drought and rewatering at seedling stage.The results indicated that:(1)the two maize varieties showed similar drought resistance,but significantly different growth recovery capacity.(2)The leaf water content of‘Zhengdan 958'and ‘P3'demonstrated no significance during the drought period,but ‘P3'maintained higher water potential,maximal efficiency of PSⅡ photo-chemistry and chlorophyll content under drought conditions.(3)The recovery rate of photosynthetic rate,maximal efficiency of PSⅡ photochemistry and stomatal conductance of ‘P3'was quicker than that of‘Zhengdan 958'after drought and rehydration.Research showed that the photosynthetic loss recovery capacity of ‘P3' was higher than that of‘Zhengdan 958'.The reason why the recovery capability of ‘P3' was stronger is because it can maintain higher Fv/Fmand chlorophyll content under drought,and the damage of photosynthetic systems was lighter,and also because the recovery was faster than ‘Zhengdan 958'after rehydration.These results revealed that reducing damage of drought stress on plant photosynthetic systems is the basis of rapid recovery after rewatering,and the rapid of damaged photosynthetic systems to accelerate the recovery of plant after rewatering.