Abstracto

Effect of sodium chloride on some morpho-physiological traits in Zea mays L.

Khadije Babaei, Alireza Pirzad, Mohammad Bager Aleyzadeh

To evaluate the effect of salinity originated from sodium chloride on the morphological and physiological characteristics of corn, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with seven replications in greenhouse condition. Treatments were four levels of soil salinity (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ds/m) and two types of irrigation water (0 and 2 ds/m of sodium chloride). Results of ANOVAshowed the significant effect of soil salinity on chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll, and significant interaction effect between soil salinity and sodiumchloride concentration of irrigationwater on chlorophyll b, proline and total soluble carbohydrates. The highest content of leaf chlorophyll b (0.67 mg/l) was obtained from control treatment (without salinity of soil and water). The lowest concentration of leaf chlorophyll b (0.29 mg/l) belonged to plants irrigated withwater (0 ds/m) in 15 ds/msaline soil. The highest (37.65mg/ l) and lowest (24.53 mg/l) total soluble carbohydrates content were obtained fromcontrol and 15 ds/mof soil salinity, respectively.While, the minimumproline content (20.39mg/l) belonged to control and themaximum proline (0.030mg/l) belonged to 20 ds/m soil salinity. Despite ascending trends in proline along with higher salinity, these arises was sever in saline soil.