Growth Response and Dry Matter Partitioning of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes under Aluminum Toxicity

In this work, 75 quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines were evaluated for aluminum tolerance using a nutrient solution assay in laboratory and soil-based technique greenhouse tunnel. The experiment was set up completely randomized design with three replications the laboratory, complete block used greenhouse. Aluminum toxicity generated by amending 600 µM of sulfate (Al2 [SO4]3) Al2 [SO4]3 applied at rate 24 mg kg−1 soil experiment. Relative root length (RRL) hematoxylin staining (HS) scores to identify tolerant genotypes laboratory. According RRL, 94.7% 5.3% sensitive, while Hematoxylin classified 77.9% as tolerant, 22.1% sensitive. RRL HS presented very strong negative association (−0.788). method, experiments conducted twice successive summer seasons 2019 2020. Several growth traits measured most that exhibited also had similar screening technique. Genetic variability identified, revealing potentially useful donors genes breeding programs.