Abstract

LAYNEZ-GARSABALL, José A.; MENDEZ-NATERA, Jesús Rafael  and  MAYZ-FIGUEROA, Juliana. Efecto de la salinidad y del tamaño de la semilla sobre la germinación y crecimiento de plántulas de maíz (Zea mays L.) bajo condiciones de laboratorio. TIP [online]. 2008, vol.11, n.1, pp.17-25. ISSN 1405-888X.

Seed germination and seedling growth were studied from two seed sizes of two corn cultivars evaluated in absorbent paper and watered with three saline solutions created with sodium chloride. A split-split-plot design was used with four replications, main plots were constituted for the osmotic potentials (0, - 0.328 and - 0.547 MPa), sub-plots were the two corn cultivars (Himeca 95 and Pioneer 361) and sub-sub-plots were two seed sizes (≥ 0.32 - 0.36 ≤ g y > 0.36 g). An analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test were carried out. The inference level was 5%. The decreased osmotic potential produced lower seed germination and lesser seedling growth in the two corn cultivars. It was possible to evaluate only for salinity tolerance in germination stage with osmotic potentials of -0.328 and - 0.547 MPa (Pioneer 361 was more tolerant than Himeca 95). Growth was bigger in seedlings from big seed (fresh shoot weight and radicle volume), although this superiority was lost with decreased osmotic potential, suggesting that the use of big seeds can represent an advantage in non saline soils.

Keywords : Corn; salinity tolerance; seed size.