Evaluation of Genetic Variability in Wheat and Maize under Heavy Metal and Drought Stress

Abstract

There are certain conditions which cause a change in the growth pattern of plants. These circumstances are significantly effective in growth and cultivation of major crops. The effects of higher levels of copper sulphate through fertilizers can be effective in reducing the growth of a healthy plant. An experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore. Treatment of heavy metal and drought was given to both maize and wheat plant seedlings. Measurement of root length, shoot length and leaf length were taken in fresh and dried condition were taken after initial growth, 1st and 2 nd dose. Data was analyzed in SPSS v. 22. ANOVA was applied to check the significant effects of different condition groups and heavy metal on growth of wheat and maize. Out of both plants, maize showed better results in all conditions, while regarding treatment, 20 ml biogas liquid waste, 80 ml H2O and 0.5 mM CuSO4 showed better results than 1 mM CuSO4 and 120 ml H2O treatments. It was found that the higher concentration of CuSO4 and lower H2O in soil can significantly reduce the growth of wheat and maize. It was concluded that addition of high concentration of CuSO4 and less amount of water to wheat or maize crops will significantly reduce the crop productivity. The higher genetic advance and heritability for root length and shoot length was recorded for maize genotypes as compared by wheat genotype.