Influence of salinity on seedling growth and metabolism in maize genotypes

Twelve maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes were evaluated under different levels of salinity (<0.0, 8.0, 12.0 dSm⁻¹) by growing in sand culture with Hoagland solution (control) and Hoagland solution enriched with salts (NaCl: CaCl₂: Na₂SO₄) for 20 days. After primary screening on dry weight basis, two most tolerant (Sabour sel 9 (a) and Jogia local – (x)-S₃-12-1-16) and two most susceptible (Pant 7421-(x)-S₃-129-1 and AB(w)-S₄-4-3-#) genotypes were further grown under similar test condition to investigate the physiological basis of salinity tolerance. At maximum salinity stress (12.0 dSm⁻¹), there were comparatively more accumulation of sugars, chlorophylls, carotenoids and free amino acids alongwith higher catalase and peroxidase activities. Possibly, some of these indices might be useful for improving maize genotypes against salinity stress.