Relationships of stay green trait in maize

Abstract

Genetic variation for stay green character has been exploited in maize improvement mainly in the light of selecting high yielding rather then typical stay green genotypes. Stay green is an indicator of good plant health later in the season, reduced progressive senescence, tolerance to post-flowering drought and stalk lodging, what ensure superiority of stay green genotypes in comparison to non-stay green ones, especially in drought conditions. The objective of the study was to examine relationship of stay green trait with some vegetative characters in two genetically broad based maize populations. The most consistent correlations with stay green were established for leaf and stalk water content, which has been confirmed by path-coefficient analysis.