Waterlogging Tolerance in Corn.

Excessive rainfall commonly occurs in late spring in North Dakota, resulting in reduced plant growth or even death under sever conditions. One of the most economically effective methods to minimize stress damage is use of tolerant plants. The objective of this project was to evaluate waterlogging tolerance in 16 corn populations. Plants were germinated and grew for ten days before subjected to the waterlogging condition for seven days. Waterlogging reduced shoot and root biomass; however, the root to shoot ratio was not influenced by waterlogging. Genetic differences were observed in waterlogging tolerance in the 16 corn populations. 'NDBS39', 'NDBS16', 'NDBS28', and 'NDEarlyGEM4' had relative higher shoot and root dry weight under both non-waterlogging and waterlogging conditions, compared to the other populations.