Effects of Salinity on Germination and Some Growth Parameters in Three Cultivars of Zea Mays l.

Abstract

In this research, responses of three maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars (GS 308, DK 585 and P.3167) were compared for seed germination percentage, length of coleoptile and root, total fresh and dry weight of coleoptile and root, and absolute water content under the conditions of absence (control, distilled water) as well as presence (75-375 mM NaCl) of various of salinity. As a result of this study, germination and other growth parameters decreased significantly with increasing salinity level. Germination was decreased significantly at 75, 150 and 300 mM NaCl in GS 308, P.3167 and DK 585 cultivars, respectively. The root tissue was more affected by salinity than coleoptile tissue. Based on our findings, GS 308 maize cultivar may accept probably more sensitive than DK 585 and P.3167 cultivars.