Effect of salinity stress on germination indices of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids

The response of four corn hybrids against five different salinity levels viz., 0, -3, -6, -9 and -12 bar was studied at germination and early seedling stage. This investigation was performed as factorial experiment under completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications for each salinity level. Results indicated that maximum reduction in germination percentage (92.1%), germination rate (74%), length of radicle (97.2%), length of plumule (97.9%), length of seedling (97.6%), radicle/plumule length ratio (80.4%) and seed vigour (99.8%) was obtained in highest level of salinity (-12 bar). But mean germination time (73.7%) increased in highest level of salinity (-12 bar). Hybrid Simon produced the highest germination percentage, germination rate, radicle length, plumule length, seedling length and seed vigour, hence, this hybrid was the most tolerant hybrid to salinity stress