World Applied Sciences Journal 29 (12): 1559-1565, 2014 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.29.12.13971 Corresponding Author: Nazia Kausar, Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Paksitan 1559 Effect of Exogenous Applications of Glycine Betaine on Growth and Gaseous Exchange Attributes of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivars under Saline Conditions Nazia Kausar, Khalid Nawaz, Khalid Hussain, Khizar Hayat Bhatti, Ejaz Hussain Siddiqi and Aqsa Tallat Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Paksitan Abstract: Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice and use as staple food in many region of world. This experiment was conducted at University of Gujrat-Paksitan to observe that whether the glycine betaine exogenous application induce the salt tolerance in maize cultivars or not? On the basis of results of the present studies it can be concluded that Salt stress greatly affect growth and gaseous exchange parametrs both maize cultivars but exogenous application of glycinebetaine ameliorates the harmful effects of salt stress. However the 100mM GB spray was more affective than 50mM GB application. As whole the glycine betaine induced the salt tolerance in both cultivars of maize under saline enviornment. Key words: Exogenous GB Growth Maize Salt INTRODUCTION drought and salt-tolerant angiosperms [15]. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal affects of salt stress by (i) preserving the osmotic balance crop after wheat and rice and use as staple food in many [16] (ii) stabilizing the structure of key proteins such as region of world [1]. In Pakistan maize grow on about 974.3 Rubisco [17] (iii) protecting the photosynthetic apparatus, million hectares with annual production of 3706.9 million such as, reaction centre complexes [18] and (iv) tons [2]. Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses functioning as radical oxygen scavengers [19], thereby that inhibit the plant growth [3]. Salt induced structural promoting the photosynthetic capacity during salt or and ultra structural changes in plant cells [4-6]. Salinity drought stress. Positive effects of exogenous application effects the growth development, respiration and protein of GB on plant growth and final crop yield under salt synthesis of plants [7, 8]. Biochemical, physiological, stress have been reported in many crops [20]. GB morphological and anatomical characteristics of crop accumulates in response to stress in many crops, species are also directly affected by salinity [9-10]. including spinach, barley, tomato, potato, rice, carrot and Plants have various morphological and physiological sorghum [10]. adaptations to reduce salt stress problem [11]. A quit Hence, the present studies were conducted to common strategy is the accumulation of improve the salt tolerance of two maize varieties by foliar metabolites/osmolytes also called as compatible solutes application of GB at seedling stage. that protect the plants against various environmental stresses [12]. These compounds have vital role in osmotic MATERIALS AND METHODS adjustment, protection of cellular macromolecules, maintenance of cellular pH, detoxification of the cells and This study was conducted to induce salt tolerance in scavenging of free radicals [13, 14]. two maize cultivars by foliar application of Glycinebetaine Glycinebetaine, a quaternary ammonium compound, at seedling stage. The experiment was conducted in is one of the most efficient compatible solutes and is growth chamber of Botany Lab University of Gujrat, found in a wide range of living organisms and some Gujrat-Pakistan. Glycinebetaine protects the plant cells against the adverse