Screening of tropical maize for salt stress tolerance
Carlos Daniel Giaveno, Rafael Vasconcelos Ribeiro, Gustavo Maia Souza, and Ricardo Ferraz de Oliveira
Since salinity is a common stress factor in agricultural areas, the objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of morphological and physiological traits as selection criteria of maize genotypes under salt stress. The experiments were carried out in the stages of germination and early seedling growth. Root and shoot weight, leaf area, root and leaf water potential, photochemical efficiency and growth rate were measured during salt stress and stress recovery. Our results indicated the presence of genetic variability for germination, but no association between germination and early seedling growth under salt stress. Traits associated with seedling vigor, such as seedling weight and growth rate, and photochemical efficiency under stress conditions can be used as selection criteria for salt-tolerant maize in breeding programs.