RESUMO
Drought stress adversely impacts growth, crop production, reproductive organ development, and yield characteristics in maize. As a drought-sensitive crop, maize (Zea mays L.) shows considerable varietal differences. A study was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia in order to identify drought-tolerant maize varieties. During germination and early seedling growth, 16 local accessions were evaluated for drought tolerance. Based on local climate and soil conditions, these specific accessions were chosen. The varieties were tested against five levels of drought stress imposed by Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%. An experiment with three replications was conducted using a completely randomized design. In the study, local maize accessions (BI3, SB5, DS2, and MN3) and the hybrid variety (H) showed the capability of tolerating drought stress. Generally, germination time, germination percent and vigor index, root and shoot length, shoot ratio, and fresh and dry weight were decreased by increasing PEG concentrations (up to 50%). According to ANOVA results, shoot water content was not significantly affected by the PEG, nor was the interaction between the PEG and the accessions. The root water content, however, was significantly affected by PEG, and the interaction between PEG and accessions. Although interactions between accessions with low PEG concentrations improved germination characteristics, the root histology of the accessions varied. According to drought tolerance indexes, five maize accessions are drought-tolerant, including H (0.683), SB5 (0.617), DS2 (0.565), MN3 (0.512), and BI3 (0.504). The drought-tolerant varieties are recommended in regions with low rainfall or low water sources since they are less water-intensive and produce higher yields.
RESUMO
This research was aimed at obtaining varieties of soybean adaptive to acid soils and to obtain Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolates that can improve the agronomic characteristics of soybean and increase the ultisols fertility. This research was conducted in two-stages research on Sampali Village, Percut Sei Tuan sub-District, Deli Serdang District, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia from August 2019 until March 2020. The first stage (adaptive varieties screening) using the non-factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with the varieties of Argomulyo, Wilis, Kaba, Dena-1, Devon-1, Dega-1, Demas-1, Burangrang, Detam-1, and Kipas Merah. The second stage (application of PGPR isolates singly and in combinations) using the factorial RBD, the first factor of applicative single and the combination of PGPR isolates, the second factor of adaptive varieties including Detam-1 and Wilis. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and followed by DMRT at P<0.05. The results showed that the Detam-1 and Wilis varieties had significantly higher yield per plant of 14.73 g and 14.54 g, respectively, than other varieties. The applications of a single and combination of PGPR isolates significantly increased the number of branches, stem diameter, plant height, yield per plant, soil pH, organic-C, available-P, and total-N and decreased the soil C/N. The Detam-1 variety had the higher in yield per plant compared to Wilis variety. The isolates combination of Rhizobium leguminosarum+Rhizobium sp2+Bacillus sp+Burkholderia sp for Detam-1 and Wilis varieties can be recommended to support the growth and yield of soybean on ultisols.
