Effect of Salinity Stress on Osmoprotectant (Glycine Betaine and Prline) of Two Maize (Zea mays L.). Varieties Cultivated in Sokoto Metropholis

Abstract

Salinity is one of the principal abiotic stresses that affect plant productivity by inducing osmotic stress. Maize is an economically important cereal crop affected by high salinity. In this study two varieties of maize seedlings (Oba super 2 16-11-kd-155- 159 and Sammaz 37) were subjected to 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl concentrations. The Root, young and mature leaves were harvested after 21 days of sowing. A significant (P<0.05) increased in MDA and H2O2 concentration was observed in the NaCl treated samples (root and matured leaves) compared to control. Level of glycine betaine increases significantly (P<0.05) in all organs (root and mature leaves) of salt treated maize seedling, while level of proline slightly decreased specifically in the matured leave. This indicates a possible role of ROS in the systemic signalling from roots to leaves, allowing leaves to activate their defence mechanism for better protection against salt stress. These studies suggest that both the two varieties accumulated more osmolytes.