Screening of maize hybrids for salt tolerance at seedling stage under hydroponic condition

Selection of salt-tolerant genotypes is important to grow crop plants on salt-affected areas to fulfill the increasing demand of food. Present study was conducted to screen the maize hybrids for salt tolerance under hydroponic condition using physiological and agronomical criteria. Maize seedlings at two leaf stage were transplanted and three different levels of salinity (control, 50 mM and 100 mM NaCl) were developed by using NaCl salt. A half strength Hoagland solution was used for nutrition during experiment. Significant variations were observed in all morpho-physiological attributes and ionic contents. The maize hybrid 26204 had higher plant growth, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll contents, leaf area, gas exchange characteristics, K^+ /Na^+ ratio and found more salt tolerance at all salinity levels. While maize hybrid 8441 had lower plant growth, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll contents, leaf area, gas exchange characteristics, K^+ /Na^+ ratio as compared to all other maize hybrids and was considered as salt sensitive genotype. The results show that salt tolerant genotypes could be a better source for breeders for further evaluation on salt affected soils.