An experiment was carried out hydroponically under laboratory conditions to
investigate the effect of salt stress on several physiological and
biochemical parameters of three sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata)
genotypes: lines 6-13, C-6 (pollen source) and their heterotic F1 hybrid
?Zaharina?. The degree of salinity tolerance among these genotypes was
evaluated at three different sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations: 0 mM, 100
mM, 125 mM and 150 mM. Seed germination, plant growth and biochemical stress
determining parameters such as malondialdehyde (MDA), proline content and
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels were compared between seedlings of lines and
hybrid. The obtained results indicated that both lines and hybrid have
similar responses at different salinity levels for all examined traits. All
the seedlings? growth parameters, such as germination percentage, root
length, shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight, decreased with
increasing salinity level. MDA, proline and H2O2 increased at different
saline conditions in comparison to the control. Based on the results, of the
three genotypes examined, the hybrid Zaharina, followed by line C-6, was more
salt-sensitive than line 6-13 in salt stress condition.
Effect of Light- and Dark-Germination on the Phenolic Biosynthesis, Phytochemical Profiles, and Antioxidant Activities in Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) Sprouts
