Callus response of hybrid and Madura local corn to salt stress

Abstract

Abstract Salinity (salty and acidity) is one of important abiotic stresses, which can decrease corn production. In Indonesia, corn is one of important cereal crop beside rice. Madura is an island that known as widest area of maize landfill in East Java but has lowest productivity. Madura local corns (var. Manding, Duko and Elos) and hybrid corn (var. Sukmaraga) known as salt tolerance. This research objectives was to compare response of those callus to salt stress. Callus responses to salt stress, can indicate to their resistance to salinity. The young corn stalks were induced to be callus by MS+2,4D 4mg/L, then cultivated to media MS+NaCl (0, 100, 200 mM) for 30 days. The parameters were morphology (colour and texture), survived and proline content. Proline content was measured by nynhidrin methods. The results showed that salt stress change callus colour (from white to creamy white and brown) and texture (from friable to compact and intermediate). Duko and Elos survived more than 90%, but Manding and Sukmaraga survived less than 15%. Salt treatment increased proline content of all callus. Madura local corn had better tolerance to salt stress than hybrid.