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Effect of Salinity on Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Maize

R Ahmed
Department of Agricultural Botany, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh

M H K Howlader
Department of Agricultural Botany, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh

A Shila
Department of Agricultural Botany, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh

M A Haque
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An incubation experiment was conducted at the Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University during Rabi season 2015 to investigate the effects of different levels of salinity on germination and early seedling growth of maize. There were ten treatments consisting of different concentrations of salinity viz. 0, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, 280 and 320 mM NaCl. The germination experiment was conducted in petri dish lined with a layer of cotton consisting ten ml of each test solution. Germination percentage gradually decreased with the increase of concentration of salt. Up to 80 mM concentration was found safe for maize seed germination. Salinity caused delay in germination. Highest seedling height was found at 40 mM NaCl concentration (21.51 cm) and root length (23.61 cm) was found in 20 mM NaCl concentration. In 320 mM NaCl concentration roots were abnormal, deformed and twisted. The 0 to 80 mM NaCl concentration gave statistically similar shoot fresh weight. Compared to control treatment 20 mM NaCl concentration gave 0.55 % higher fresh weight and at 80 mM NaCl concentration shoot fresh weight reduced by only 6.9 %. The 80 mM NaCl concentration was found acceptable for germination and early seedling growth of maize.

Keywords: Coastal Bangladesh, Sodium chloride, Germination, Salinity, Vigor index, Maize

Location: Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali

Start Date: 00-01-2015

End Date: 00-02-2015

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of different levels of salinity on germination and early seedling growth of maize.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali during the period from January to February 2015.The experiment was designed at completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. There were ten treatments consisting different levels of salinity. The treatments were 0, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, 280 and 320 mM NaCl concentration. The germination experiment was conducted in petri dishes of 12 cm diameter lined with a thin layer of cotton. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) developed “BARI Hybrid Maize 7” was used in the experiment. Twenty five seeds were placed on cotton bed in a circle pattern. Ten ml of treatment solutions of different salinity concentrations were poured in each Petri dish to immerse the seeds partially for insuring proper aeration. Three replications were maintained for each salinity concentration. The petri dishes were placed on a table in the laboratory. The seeds were allowed to germinate at room temperature (25±2°C). A 100 w power bulb was fixed using a stand on the petri dishes. Required amount of distilled water was added to each petri dish every day to maintain same level of water as in initial date. Seeds were considered germinated when radicles measured 2 mm size. The number of seeds germinated was recorded starting from 2 days after sowing (DAS) to 12 DAS. The results obtained in each day were converted into percentage. Shoot length was recorded at 7, 9, 11 and 13 DAS. Observation was made on germination percentage, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, moisture content of root and shoot, seedling height, speed of germination and vigor index .Vigor index (VI) was worked out according to the formula. VI= Germination% × (Root length in cm + Shoot length in cm) and speed of germination was calculated as follows:

Data were statistically analyzed following F-test and the mean comparisons were made at 0.05 probability level by DMRT as outlined by Gomez and Gomez (1984).

Source of Information: Progressive Agriculture 28 (1): 18-25, 2017

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Salinity reduced germination percentage of maize and the extent of reduction increased with the increase in the concentration of salinity in the growth medium. NaCl concentration up to 80 mM was found as safe for maize seed germination. NaCl up to 40 mM favors plant growth which otherwise indicates the necessity of NaCl in lower concentration for plant growth and development. At higher concentration like 320 mM NaCl, root was more affected than shoot. Further study is needed to test the performance of different maize genotypes at varying degree of salt stress.

Knowledge Management: Journal