Vigour in maize seeds: influence on seedling development under conditions of salt stress

Using seeds of high vigour can be a strategy to reduce problems in the development of seedlings, and allow adequate stand establishment under different environmental conditions, especially under conditions of stress, such as salt stress. Accordingly, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of vigour in maize seeds on germination performance and seedling development when exposed to different levels of salt stress. Seeds from cultivars of two single hybrids were used, each in four batches; initially, water content and seedling emergence in the field were determined. To verify vigour behaviour, 200 seeds were planted on a roll of paper towelling moistened with different solutions of NaCl in five concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mol m(-3)). The variables being analysed were: germination percentage, length of shoot and root, root volume and seedling dry matter. At the concentrations under test, seed vigour had no effect on germination in the maize seeds exposed to salt stress; there was however a positive effect on seedling development up to the concentration of 50 mol NaCl m(-3) (EC 5.11 <= dS m(-1)). The variables of root volume and seedling dry weight are the most suitable for evaluating the effect of salt stress on development in maize seedlings.