Differential Morphophysiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Responses of Maize Hybrids to Salinity and Alkalinity Stresses

Salinity and alkalinity stresses are common in arid and semiarid climates. Both these stresses not only retard crop growth but also cause a severe reduction in yields. The present experiment was performed to investigate the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and genetic responses of two maize hybrids (FH-1231 and DK-6714) to salinity and alkalinity stresses. The treatments were comprised of salt stress (NaCl:Na₂SO₄ at a 9:1 ratio), alkaline stress (NaHCO₃:Na₂CO₃ at a 9:1 ratio), and an unstressed control. The results indicated that salinity and alkalinity significantly reduced shoot fresh weight by 50% and 70%, root fresh weight by 38% and 50%, root dry weight by 69% and 93%, seedling length by 18% and 30%, number of leaves by 27% and 39%, and maximum leaf width by 17% and 24%, respectively, across the two hybrids compared with control, indicating that alkalinity had a greater effect than salinity. Likewise, both the stresses, particularly alkalinity, significantly decreased K⁺ ion accumulation and chlorophyll content and increased the lipid peroxidation rate, sodium (Na⁺) concentration, the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) level, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Salinity and alkalinity stresses also induced the expression levels of antioxidant genes (<i>SOD</i>, <i>CAT</i>, <i>POD</i>, <i>APX</i>); however, salinity showed less effect than alkalinity stress. Similarly, hybrid DK-6714 performed comparatively better than FH-1231 with regard to seedling growth, antioxidant activities, and biochemical attributes under stress conditions. Thus, DK-6714 is recommended as a suitable hybrid for soils affected with salt-alkalization.