PHOTOSYNTHETIC O-2 EVOLUTION IN MAIZE INBREDS AND THEIR HYBRIDS CAN BE DIFFERENTIATED BY OPEN PHOTOACOUSTIC CELL TECHNIQUE

Photosynthetic efficiency is considered one of the traits potentially suitable to differentiate hybrids from their inbred lines, Previous evaluations concerning photosynthetic efficiencies of maize (Zea mays L.) plants in the field have shown inconsistent and contradictory data. In this work, we attempted to study photosynthetic O-2 evolution through photoacoustic spectroscopy in intact undetached leaves of dark-adapted seedlings of inbreds and their hybrids. The results indicate that photosynthetic efficiencies of inbreds and hybrids can be differentiated by photoacoustic measurements of oxygen evolution, providing a parameter that might prove useful in evaluating plant genotypes.