Differential Responses of Electrolyte Leakage and Pigment Compositions in Maize and Sorghum After Exposure to and Recovery from Pre-and Post-Flowering Dehydration

Drought stress is often the most limiting factor to maize and sorghum production in the semi-arid areas.This study evaluates the response of electrolyte leakage,chlorophyll,carotenoid and anthocyanin contents in maize （cv.Melkassa-2 and sorghum cv.Macia） after exposure to and recovery from pre- and post-flowering dehydration in plants grown in a controlled environment growth chamber under constant environmental conditions （12/12 h day/night,28-32/17°C day/night temperature,60-80% RH and PPFD of 1 200-1 400 μmol m-2 s-1）,at the Department of Botany,University of Cape Town,South Africa.It was revealed that dehydration induced increases in electrolyte leakage was observed in both species during both pre- and post-flowering stages.Electrolyte leakage was however,higher during post- than pre-flowering dehydration in both species.Dehydration during both pre- and post-flowering stages caused a decrease in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in both maize and sorghum.Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of both pre- and post-flowering dehydrated sorghum was markedly higher than that of maize throughout the duration of the dehydration period.As opposed to chlorophyll and carotenoid contents,anthocyanin contents increased during pre- and post-flowering dehydration in both species.Differences were however,observed between both species in the response of anthocyanin content to pre- and post-flowering dehydration.Full recovery of chlorophyll,carotenoid and anthocyanin contents were observed in those plants rehydrated during pre-flowering stages.There was however,no recovery in both species during post-flowering rehydration.This study should help understand some adaptive mechanisms developed by maize and sorghum during the dehydration and rehydration periods and contribute to identify useful traits for breeding programs.     

Financial loss estimation,prevalence and characterization of hydatidosis of cattle slaughtered at Debre Markos Municipality abattoir,Ethiopia

Tropical Animal Health and Production -