Author(s)

Shengwei Guo, Chunyang Xiang, Qiu Zhao, Xiuping Tian and Lingli Liu

Corresponding Author

Chunyang Xiang

Abstract

Abstract: In order to study the effect of melatonin on photosynthetic characteristics of waxy corn seedlings at different salt stresses, Runnuo 73 was used as the test material. The seeds and seedlings were treated with exogenous melatonin through pot experiments in soils with different salt content. The photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll and nitrogen content of seedlings were measured at the seedling stage. The results showed that compared with the control group, the net photosynthetic rate of waxy corn seedlings at the salt concentration of 0.04%, 0.20%, 0.35% and 0.52%, the treatment group increased significantly by 16.19%, 29.12%, 36.45% and 38.92%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the transpiration rate of waxy corn seedlings in the treatment group was significantly increased at 0.20% salt stress, other treatment conditions were increased but not significantly. Compared with the control group, the waxy corn seedlings stomatal conductance of treatment group significantly increased at 0.04%, 0.20% and 0.35% salt stress, the high-salt treatment conditions were increased but did not reach the significant level. Compared with the control group, the intercellular CO2 concentration of waxy corn seedlings in the treatment group was significantly reduced at 0.20% and 0.35% salt stress. Compared with the control group, the chlorophyll content of waxy corn seedlings in the treatment group was significantly increased at 0.20% and 0.35% salt stress. Compared with the control group, the nitrogen content of waxy corn seedlings in the treatment group was significantly increased by 7.7% and 6.5% at 0.20% and 0.35% salt stress, respectively. Indicating that melatonin treatment could increase the chlorophyll and nitrogen content, improve photosynthetic characteristics at salt stress and increase the salt tolerance of waxy corn seedlings.

Keywords

Keywords: Melatonin Treatment; Salt Stress; Waxy Corn; Photosynthetic Characteristics