The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of saline stress induced by different osmotic potentials of NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 solutions, on seed germination and vigor of corn plants. The experiment was consisted of two experiments that were carried out in the Seed Laboratory of the Federal University of Grande Dourados and in a green house at Embrapa Agropecuaria Oeste, in Dourados, MS. A randomized complete design was used in a 3 x 6 factorial arrangement, with four replications. The first factor was salts and the second the osmotic potentials: 0.0; -0.2; -0.4; -0.8; -1.2 and -1.6MPa. The following variables were analyzed: Experiment 1 - germination percentage, shoot and root length; Experiment 2 - final plant height, root length, stem diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and aerial part and root dried matter. Germination was not affected by saline stress. The decrease in osmotic potential in the KCl and NaCl solutions resulted in decreases in shoot length and increases in root length. Stress that was induced by salts promoted different performance for corn plant vigor. The saline effect of NaCl was greater on the characteristics plant height, root growth, leaf area and root dried matter.
Zea mays L.; salinity; KCl; CaCl2; NaCl
