Abstract

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

Author(s): 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.