MAIZE CULTIVAR EVALUATION IN SALINE SOIL OF THE SEMIARID REGION OF PERNAMBUCO STATE, BRAZIL

Eight maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) were planted in two different area s: a saline area (Ece of 9,88 d S/M) and a non-saline area (Ece of the 2,01 ds/m). The following parameters were observed: mean plant height , grain production, Na/K ratio. The cultivars were irrigated by furrow , with non-saline water (CE = 0,68 ds/m). The salinity (Ece) of satura ted paste extract from the root zone was measured monthly and the leaf content of Na/K was determinated. The concentrations of Na and K as w ell as their ratio were higher for the plants subjected to salinity. T he effect of saline stress was more marked on the production than on t he vegetative growth. The cultivars studied showed no difference as re gards salinity tolerance. A tendency to tolerance was observed in the Jatina C-3 anao, Dentado Composto, and CMS-22 varieties and in the Pio neer 6875 hybrid given that they maintained a relative yield that exce eded 50%.