Effect of summer and autumn seasonal drought on the agronomic characteristics of southern spring maize

Agronomic characteristics of the southern spring maize were studied in summer and autumn seasonal drought periods in southern China.The results show that growth, linear filling and stable leaf area periods are shortened by summer and autumn seasonal droughts,which result in increased ear baldness,decreased ear panicle and 1000-grain weight， and yield loss.Seasonal drought effects on the early maturity maize variety is lowest among the early,middle and late maturity maize varieties;and that for the middle maturity is lower than the late maturity variety.The degree of yield decrease is different for the different varieties.Thus the study shows that it is possible to analysis drought-resistance of maize varieties by agronomic characterization.