Study of trace element correlations with drought tolerance in different sorghum genotypes using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique

Abstract

Drought-tolerant and drought-susceptible genotypes of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Monech) were analyzed by the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique to study the correlation of trace elements with drought-tolerance capacities. Samples prepared from mature seeds, young seedlings, and old plants were analyzed using a 109Cd radioisotope source and a Si(Li) semiconductor detector of resolution 170 eV for 5.9-keV MnKalpha X-rays. Elements such as K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb and Sr and Y were found to be present in varying concentrations in different samples. The trace element profile studied in the seeds of 11 genotypes and in seedlings (young and old) of 4 sorghum genotypes showed considerable variation. The genotype Arfa Gadamak (AG) showed a distinct presence of a high level of Zn in its young seedling. It was observed that in most of the genotypes (seeds), K and Fe concentrations were more in the tolerant genotype as compared to the susceptible type. The concentration of Fe decreased with maturity in the tolerant group and it increased with maturity in the susceptible group.