Evaluation of Seed Germinability and Field Emergence Of Some Maize (Zea mays, L.) Hybrids Under Salinity Stress Conditions

Abstract

Laboratory and field emergence under greenhouse experiments were designed to evaluate the germinability and field emergence of eight maize hybrids, i.e.; maize hybrids single white (Pioneer 30K8, Giza 130 and Hi Tech 2031), maize hybrid single yellow (Hi Tech 2066), maize hybrids triple white (Giza 310, Giza 321 and Giza 324) and maize hybrid triple yellow (Giza 352) under some levels of salt concentrations induced by sodium hypochlorite NaCl 1% solution, i.e.; (Tap water 320, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 ppm) during 2015 season. The best results of maize hybrids were obtained by Hi Tech 2031 and the depressed values restricted by Giza 352 and Giza 130, respecting of germination indices i.e. G (%), mean germination time (MGT), germination velocity index (GVI), seedling vigor index (SVI); seedling growth indices i.e. plumule length (cm), radical length (cm), seedling fresh and dry weights (g); salinity stress assay i.e. germination stress index (GSI), seedling length stress tolerance index (SLSI), radical length stress tolerance index (RLSI) and proline content; and field emergence. Results also indicated that, all salinity stress levels while compared with control treatment (320 ppm) recorded the lowest values of all previous studied traits and the lowest values were obtained by NaCl level (4000 ppm). Regarding to the interaction, all maize hybrids under control treatment (320 ppm) recorded the highest values of all traits compared with all salinity stress levels. The best values recorded by Hi Tech 2031, Pioneer 30K8, Hi Tech 2066, Giza 310 and Giza 321 respectively. Giza 352 and Giza 130 recorded the lowest values under all NaCl concentration levels. There were highly significant differences between studied hybrids and salinity treatments and the mean performance for studied characters was discussed.