Effects of Salinity on Growth Physiology, Accumulation of Osmo-Protectant and Autophagy-Dependent Cell Death of Two Maize Variety

Resumo

Maize is moderately sensitive to salt stress; therefore, soil salinity is a serious threat to its production worldwide. Here, two maize variety Kharif Shaktiman-1 and Pioneer 30 v92 were screened to understand the maize response to salt stress and its tolerance mechanisms. Difference in relative water content, membrane stability index, stomatal conductance, shoot and root fresh/dry weight has been analyzed under salinity. The effect of osmotic stress was also analyzed on the basis of accumulation of osmoprotentant like proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugar content. The gas exchange characteristics and autophagy-dependent cell death were used to analyses the physiological effects of osmotic stress at about 15 days after salt stress in maize. The results of relative water content, membrane stability index, stomatal conductance, accumulation of osomoprotectant was higher in Kharif Shaktiman-1, the autophagy-dependent cell death was less in Pioneer 30 v92, indicate that Kharif Shaktiman-1 has more salt tolerant ability than the Pioneer 30 v92. But the result of autophagy-dependent cell death showed an opposite trend, as it was higher in Kharif Shaktiman-1, indicate more cell damage in it under salinity. So molecular technique or marker based on autophagy-dependent cell death for the screening of stress tolerant trait in desired crop may act as method of choice.