The Comparative Study on Root Anatomical Structure of Maize Genotypes Different in Tolerance to Drought

A systematic study was conducted with roots of maize genotypes different in tolerance to drought in the field to investigate the relationship between root anatomical structure and tolerance to drought of maize.The microstructure of basilar and middle root and root hair of primary root and different layers of secondary root was studied by hand sectioning and routine mineral wax movie making.The diversity of maize genotypes with different tolerance to drought was compared,and the relationship between microstructure of maize root and tolerance to drought was analyzed.The result showed that compared with the maize with low tolerance to drought,the primary radicel of maize with high tolerance to drought had fewer cortex cell layer number,smaller diameter of metaxylem vessel and greater metaxylem vessel amount.The various secondary roots had fewer cortex cell layer number,the metaxylem vessel was greater and the diameter was smaller.