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 areas: 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 saturated 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 well as their ratio were higher for the plants subjected to salinity. The effect of saline stress was more marked on the production than on the vegetative growth. The cultivars studied showed no difference as regards salinity tolerance. A tendency to tolerance was observed in the Jatina C-3 anao, Dentado Composto, and CMS-22 varieties and in the Pioneer 6875 hybrid given that they maintained a relative yield that exceeded 50%.