Accumulation and localization of sodium and potassium ions in maize plants on saline soil

The goal of this work is studying the accumulation and distribution of Na+ and K+ in maize hybrids of different salt tolerance under conditions of the chloride salinity. The new com hybrid Veselka MV (salt-tolerant) and Odessa 375 MB (not salt-tolerant) were studied. The plants grown in salt-free chernozem soil are control. In the experiment, sodium chloride was dissolved in the irrigation water to form the salinity of test soils up to concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% of ovendry weight. Soil moisture in the pots was maintained at 60% of the full field water capacity, the air temperature was +25..... +2(degrees) degrees C, and thli hght - 10 kl.ux Plant samples were driein m the oven under 7(degrees) .degrees C Then, the average sample of 10 specimens was thoroughly levigatein m the porcelain pounder and dispersein m distilled water at 10(degrees)C. The ions were extracted, and the extracts were centrifuged for 20 min at 3000 rpm. The ions content in the cell sap was analysed. Plant samples (1 g) were incubated 10 min in chloroform, dried carefully with filter paper, and then the cell sap was squeezed.1 ml of clear top layer of the cell sap was dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water. Ions content was determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer ("Karl Zeiss", Germany). Salt-tolerant maize hybrid Veselka MW (14 days age) is characterized by an increased content of Na+ in the root tissues in comparison with the above-ground parts. In Odessa 375 MB hybrid this regularity is less pronounced. With the increase of sodium chloride concentration in the soil the content of Na+ in the aerial parts of plants rises. That may be connected with the reduced role of a root barrier. The salt-tolerant hybrid has a higher content of Na+ in the roots as compared to the above-ground parts. The content of K+ was higher in the above-ground parts, which is more pronounced in the salt-tolerant hybrid Veselka MB. The decrease of K+ in cell sap of the root under saline conditions was most pronounced in the salt-sensitive hybrid Odessa 375 MB. The salt-tolerant hybrid Veselka MB is characterized by accumulation of Na+ mainly in the roots, but a higher content of K+ in the aerial part of the plant. For salt-tolerant hybrids are characterized by a higher ratio of K+/Na+ in the above-ground parts of plants as compared to the not salt-tolerant hybrid.