Salinity types and level-based effects on the growth, physiology and nutrient contents of maize (Zea mays)

Italian Journal of Agronomy

Hafiz Muhammad Bilal¹  Ali Zakir²  Sami Ullah³  Haroon Shahzad⁴  Muhammad Iqbal⁴  Allah Ditta⁵  Muhammad Aslam Farooqi⁵  Iftikhar Ahmad⁵  Ghulam Mustafa Shah⁶  Sajjad Ahmad⁶ 

[1] Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad;Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Okara, Okara;Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad;Arid Zone Research Centre, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, DI Khan;Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari-Campus, Vehari;Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad;

关键词: Plant physiology;    salinity;    sodium chloride;    sodium sulphate;    tissue ion composition;    Zea mays.;   

DOI  :  10.4081/ija.2019.1326

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Salinity is a devastating problem of arid and semi-arid climatic regions with uneven salt accumulation which hinders growth and development of crops. The deleterious effects of salinity mainly depend on level and source of salinity. We hypothesized that types of sodium salt (NaCl and Na2SO4) might cause variable toxicity in maize (Zea mays L.) plants. The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of different types of sodium salt (NaCl and Na2SO4), each at EC 5 and 10 dS m–1 on growth, physiology and nutrient contents of maize plant grown in earthen pots under wire house conditions. Results revealed toxic effects of salt stress on seed germination, root and shoot growth and biomass. Maize physiology in terms of sub-stomatal CO2 index, chlorophyll and relative water contents, photosynthetic and transpiration rate also reduced under salt stress. Among the types of salt and levels of salinity, NaCl applied at the rate of 10 dS m–1 caused the highest reduction in seed germination, growth and physiology due to high accumulation of Na and Cl ions whereas low in K ion in maize plant tissues. Based on the findings, we do conclude that NaCl applied at the rate of 10 dS m–1 has more negative impact on maize growth and nutrient acquisition than Na2SO4 at same level of salinity.

【 授权许可】

Unknown