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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.

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Variation in the yield and composition of oil of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seed collected from two different sites (saline and non-saline) of Pakistan was examined. Hexane-extracted oil content of cottonseed from saline and non-saline areas was found to be 17.7 and 18.6%, respectively. No significant (P [ 0.05) differences in the refractive index (40°C), color, specific gravity (24°C), iodine, free fatty acid, peroxide, unsaponifiable matter, saponification, conjugated diene and triene and p-anisidine values of the oils of cotton plants from saline and non-saline habitats were observed. Fatty acid compositional analysis showed the concentration of stearic (C 18:0 ) and oleic (C 18:1 ) acids to be significantly (P 0.05) higher, whereas that of linoleic (C 18:2 ) acid was lower in cottonseed oils from the saline area than those from the non-saline habitat. Tocopherol contents of cottonseed oils were significantly (P 0.05) higher from the saline area than those from the non-saline area. The results of the present study showed that soil salinity did not affect the oil yield of cottonseed, however, it significantly (P 0.05) affected the tocopherol and fatty acid profiles of the oils examined.

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