Table 1 Descriptive statistics for seedling traits of 71 inbred lines under well-watered (control) and water deficit stress (WDS) conditions.

From: Root plasticity: an effective selection technique for identification of drought tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines

Trait

Mean standard deviation

Traits

Mean standard deviation

Control

Water deficit stress

Control

Water deficit stress

Fresh root weight (g)

20.3 ± 1.5

18.4 ± 3.2

No. of forks (numbers)

470.9 ± 10.2

424.9 ± 14.7

Fresh shoot weight (g)

39.4 ± 2.0

29.2 ± 3.1

Average root diameter (mm)

1.39 ± 0.2

1.01 ± 0.1

Dry root weight (g)

4.6 ± 1.0

2.8 ± 1.2

Root volume (cm3)

269 ± 10.9

226. ± 13.7

Dry shoot weight(g)

6.0 ± 0.2

4.4 ± 0.5

Maximum root length (cm)

34.0 ± 2.1

25.3 ± 3

Root projection area (cm2)

75.4 ± 1.4

67.7 ± 2.6

Vigour*

3.5 ± 0.3

2.5 + 0.8

Total root length (cm)

363.8 ± 4.3

317.4 ± 6.4

Chlorophyll content (µmol/m2)

8.1 ± 0.5

7.2 ± 1.4

No. of root tips (numbers)

434.3 ± 1.6

368.8 ± 4.6

   
  1. g fresh and dry root weight; shoot weight, cm2 root projection area, cm maximum and total root length (covering all root branches), cm3 root volume, µmol/m2 Chlorophyll content, number includes all root tips, hairs and forks (extending from main branch as seminals), mm average root diameter () indicate unit of respective trait.
  2. *Vigour (0–4 scale): 0 (representing dead), 1 (very poor), 2 (poor health), 3 (reduced vigour but with browning of leaf tips) 4 (deep green leaves with no wilting or chlorosis: high vigour).
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