Cold Stress Evaluation among Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines in Different Temperature Conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a crop in a tropical region which resists growing under sensitive temperature. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of Canadian maize inbred lines under controlled cold stress conditions (5oC, 10oC, and 23oC). Data were recorded by measuring germination rate, index, root length, and seed vigour index values. Five higher and three lower tolerant inbred lines were shortlisted. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance, while mean values were compared using Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference Test at =0.05 and at =0.01. Using Genstat software, correlation was done. A strong correlation (P＜0.05) was found between germination rate and germination index under all stress conditions. Root length and vigour index were also strongly correlated with germination rate under 5oC stress condition and compared to 10oC and 23oC stress conditions. Our results suggested that five (CO439, CO438, CO450, CO435, and CO445) among 22 maize inbred lines performed better under 5oC cold stress condition and thus had the potential to develop maize hybrids to increase grain yield under environmentally stressful conditions in South Korea.