Varietal Performance of Maize (Zea mays L.) Strains Under Saline Conditions

Abstract

Crop yields are highly affected due to physiochemical properties of soil and climatic conditions of the region. The yield of the crop is drastically impacted in terms of final economic product due to problems which occurs in life cycle of the plant under the stress conditions like, stunted growth, permanent wilting, and delay in leaf initiation as well as oxidative stresses at molecular level. Maize (Zea mays L.), widely used as staple food has an ample amount of fats and fibres. Salt stress decreases maize yield and in this regard a hydroponic study was carried out to screen maize genotypes against two salinity stress levels i.e., 10 mol m-3 NaCl and 100 mol m-3 NaCl under hydroponic conditions. Nine (09) hybrid genotypes, i.e., Pioneer 3335 (V1), Pioneer 32F10 (V2), Syngenta 8441 (V3), Pioneer: 33H25 (V4), Pioneer: 3233 (V5), Monsanto 6142 (V6), Syngenta 8711 (V7), Monsanto 6528 (V8), Pioneer 31P41 (V9) were selected for experiment. Statistically, the analysis showed the highest root-shoot length, root fresh-dry weight, and shoot fresh-dry weight with V3 (Syngenta 8441) and the minimum with V1 (Pioneer 3335). The results showed that root length increased by 35% shoot length increased by 34% while total length was enhanced by 34% in syngenta 8441. The results clearly depicted that the best suited variety for salt affected areas can be recommended as Syngenta 8441 whereas the least tolerant was Pioneer 3335 in terms of physiological, physical, and growth characteristics.