Effects of various salt compounds and their combinations on growth and stress indicators in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Salinity is an important stress factor for crop plants. In current research work, salt stress was applied to RX 770 hybrid maize plant. The effects of additional supply of Ca, K, and Mg salts to plants under salt stress was evaluated using membrane permeability, relative water content and proline concentrations as stress indicators. Furthermore, effects of the treatments on growth and on macro and micro nutrient concentrations in shoots and roots were determined. It was observed that supplemental Ca, Mg, and K had positive effects on plant performance, by decreasing membrane permeability and enhancing relative water contents (RWC) under salt stress.