GENOTYPIC VARIABILITY IN MAIZE CULTIVARS (ZEA-MAYS L) FOR RESISTANCE TO DROUGHT AND SALINITY AT THE SEEDLING STAGE

In this study, 19 cultivars of maize were evaluated in pots in two sep arate experiments to determine their resistance for drought and salini ty at the seedling stage. For drought treatment, the pots were filled with alfisol and maintained at 20% moisture and saturation for the con trol treatment. For salinity testing, the pots were filled with white perlite. We used 0.2 mol L(-1) sodium chloride for salinity treatment and water for the control for 15d after emergence. Highly significant differences were found among genotypes and among treatments for differ ent variables for both the stress factors. Several genotypes have been selected for resistance to drought and salinity stress. Tolerance ind ices were calculated. Higher root growth under saline stress in some o f the genotypes might be a mechanism of resistance in maintaining osmo -regulation.