Sodium Chloride Induced Salinity Effects On Quality Protein Maize (Zea Mays L.) Hybrids At Germination And Early Seedling Stage

Abstract

Incubation investigation was conducted at the throughout the summerseas on of 2022 to observe the effects of diverse levels of salinity on germination and early seedling development of ten QPM hybrids. The response of QPM hybrids against four different salinity levels viz. 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) were studied. This study was implemented as a factorial trial under Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications for all salinity levels. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among salinity stress levels, hybrids and interaction effects for all investigated traits. Additional study presented that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among hybrids for germination percentage, germination time, shoot length, root length seedling biomass and seed vigor at all Salinity levels. Then, there were no significant differences originated in seedling dry weight of the hybrids at salinity level of 150 mM for the lengths of shoot, root and the entire seedling. Germination percentage gradually decreased with the increase of concentration of salt. Up to 50 mM concentration was considered safe for QPM hybrids seed germination. Salinity affected delay in germination. Highest seedling height was found at 0 mM NaCl concentration. Highest Shoot length (2.38cm) and root length(3.4544cm) was found in 50 mM NaCl concentration. In 100 mM NaCl concentration roots were abnormal, deformed and twisted. The 0 and 50 mM NaCl concentration provided statistically similar shoot length. The 50 mM NaCl concentration was found satisfactory permissible for germination and early seedling development of maize. Results showed that hybrid VH141720was the most tolerant hybrid than new hybrids under salinity stress.