Abstract
Response of three varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) viz. Akbar, Sadaf and Sul-tan was compared in NaCI salinated soil. Germination, though delayed was not yet reduced in any of these varieties. There was a comparatively greater decrease in relative water content in the variety called Akbar than other two varieties (Sultan and Sadaf) in 15 and 30 days crop. Varieties with higher water content exhibited better growth regarding number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry matter produc-tion in 30 days old crop.
INTRODUCTION
Crops growing in saline soils are frequently characterized by uneven and poor stands due to damages during germination and seedling emergence, which have been reported to he more sensitive stages to salinity than later stages of development. Like many other crops, growth of maize seedlings has also been found to be de-pressed by salinity (Soliman, 1988; Ashraf and McNeilly, 1989). Various cultivars of a crop show differences regarding their growth response to salinity (Aslam ei 1989). A variety can be expected to prove useful than others if it withstands the saline conditions better in early stages of growth and forms good stand. Such data are not available in E sufficien t t amount regarding maize cultivars grown in Pakistan. Osmotic adjustment of the plants growing in saline soils is usually disturbed (Greenway and Thomas, 1965). A knowl-edge of plant water balance of different va-rieties can be valuable in the selection of suitable cultivars. In the present study three
