Evaluation of Germination and Emergence Traits as Indicators of Salt Stress Tolerance in Maize Varieties under Controlled Conditions through Multivariate Analysis

This study aimed to assess how 20 commercial maize varieties respond to salt stress during germination and emergence stages. The experiments were structured in a factorial design within a randomized complete block design, with salt concentration (0 and 15 dS m⁻¹ NaCl) and maize variety as factors. Results indicated that salt stress had a significant impact on all germination and emergence parameters, except emergence rate. Varieties like DKC6777 and Kefrancos showed robust germination and emergence energy under saline conditions, whereas P0551 exhibited the lowest values. Although germination and emergence rates were stable across conditions, salt stress prolonged these processes. DKC6777 emerged as the fastest, while P0900 had the slowest germination. Salt stress reduced seedling and shoot lengths, although Kefrancos and Kerubino produced the longest seedlings in both control and stress conditions. DKC6050 performed well under salt stress, showing superior seedling length and weight values. Conversely, DKC6664, DKC5685, MAS 59K, and DKC7240 had shorter seedlings, and P0551, DKC7240, and Inteligens displayed lower fresh weights. Dry weight was also affected, with DKC6050 consistently achieving higher values. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted that germination and emergence performance were primarily associated with the first component, which explained 65.5% of the total variance. Cluster analysis identified DKC6777 and DKC6980 as the most salt-tolerant, contrasting with P0551 and Inteligens, which were classified as the most sensitive varieties. These findings emphasize the substantial role of genetic diversity in maize's salt tolerance.