NaCl stress causes changes in photosynthetic pigments and accumulation of compatible solutes in Zea mays L.

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of NaCl on photosynthetic pigments and compatible solutes of Zea mays under salt stress. Seven NaCl regimes were used, 0mM, 25mM, 50mM, 75mM 100mM, 125mM and 150mM. Plants were analyzed on 15^th day after salt treatment. A factorial experiment in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with seven treatments and three replications were applied. From the data attained, we understand that in accordance with the increase in salinity, photosynthetic pigment content reduced drastically, whereas compatible solutes like proline, glycine betaine and sugar enhanced marginally. The accumulation of compatible solutes makes the plant survive against salinity stress.