Four maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes, Jatinã C3 anão, BR-201, V-190 and LW-1, grown under hidroponic conditions, were evaluated for their tolerance to saline stress imposed by three salt levels (0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl). Plants submitted to 100 mM NaCl for 29 days had 50% lower dry matter production and 75% reduced leaf area, as compared to the control (0 mM NaCl) plants. Among the four genotypes studied, LW-1, a pure line, produced the least dry matter and leaf area. The increase salt levels in solution decreased the growth rate of both shoot and root in all genotypes. Roots had the largest sodium concentration and also showed the largest decrease in the relative growth rate, demonstrading the negative effect of sodium accumulation. The number and size of the stomata were not affected by saline stress.
salinity; tolerance; growth rate; leaf area
