Seed Germination and Early Root Growth in Common Bean and Maize Landraces and Improved Cultivars at Different Water Stress Levels
Gisela Aguilar-Benítez, Cecilia B. Peña-Valdivia, Jaime Ruiz Vega, Rigoberto Castro-Rivera, Hugo M. Ramírez-Tobías

Abstract
In the Central Valleys region of Oaxaca, Mexico, around 90 % of the area dedicated to common bean and maize production is planted with landraces under rainfed conditions. The objective of this study was to assess germination and early root growth of maize and common bean landraces and improved cultivars with moisture deficit. Using a completely random design and factorial treatment array, four cultivars of each species and three osmotic potentials (Ψo: 0, -0.5 and -1.1 MPa) were assessed. Maximum accumulated germination time was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) with Ψo = -1.1 MPa, mainly in improved cultivars. Maximum accumulated germination with -1.1 MPa decreased (P ≤ 0.05) more drastically in improved cultivars. Root length and biomass decreased up to 80 and 70 %, respectively, in improved cultivars. Germination of maize and bean landraces was less affected by restricted moisture in the germination medium than improved cultivars.

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