The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of interaction between salinity and plant spacing on maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid AG 1051. A randomized block in a 3 x 2 factorial was used, with three row spacings (0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 m) and two levels of salinity of irrigation water (0.8 and 5.0 dS m-1), with five replications. The variables analyzed were: photosynthesis (A), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), plant height, shoot dry mass (SDM), leaf area index (LAI), leaf area (LA), content of carbohydrate, soluble N-amines, Na+ and K+. The rates of net photosynthesis did not differ significantly neither as a result of plant spacings nor the salinity of irrigation water. The PAR intercepted by the basal leaves of maize was higher in the spacing of 0.9 m, but no difference between stressed and unstressed plants in relation to the radiation intercepted by leaves and photosynthetic rates was observed. Although salinity affected the levels of carbohydrates and sodium in leaves, the greatest differences were related to plant spacing and leaf age evaluated. In general, the densification of maize cultivation did not minimize the deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth.
photosynthesis; salt stress; Zea mays
