GENETIC DIVERSITY AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SALT STRESS TOLERANCE TRAITS IN MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) UNDER NORMAL AND SALINE CONDITIONS

To study (genotype X environment) interaction (GEI) of available maize germplasm against different saline environments present study was conducted under four saline environments S-0.89 (-1)(dsm) (T-1 ; Control), S-5.2 (-1)(dsm) (T-2), S-6.7 dSm(-1) (T-3) and S-11 dsm(-1) (T-4) in natural saline environments of saline soil research institute, Pindi Bhattian on the basis of standards like grain yield per plant, 100 grain weight, stomata conductance, total soluble sugars, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, relative water con tents, no of grain per cob, water potential, protein contents, transpiration rate, plant height, photosynthetic rate, leaf fresh weight and leaf area. Sowing was performed with split plot arrangement by following randomize complete block design. Based on performance, UAF-0020 and UAC-0036 were selected as a most tolerant even in highly saline environment S-11 dsm(-1) on the basis of protein contents, grain yield per plant and number of grains per cob, chlorophyll-b, chlorophyll-a, using biplot on the basis of principal component analysis (PCA). Based on photosynthetic rate, 100 grain weight and protein contents the most susceptible genotype recorded were UAF-0028 and UAF-0033 even in low salinity S-5.2 dsm(-1). Under all the variable saline environments the ramming genotypes performed in same manner either in positive or negative fashion. Protein contents, number of grains per cob, chlorophyll-b, chlorophyll-a, rate of photosynthesis, grain yield per plant, Plant height and 100 grain weight were considered the best standard for selection. To study GEI Principal Component Analysis based biplot is proved as an effective procedure. Reported salinity tolerant genotypes could be used for further salinity tolerance breeding programs.