Life Science Journal 2013;10(1s) http://www.lifesciencesite.com 72 Is salinity tolerance related to Na accumulation in maize cultivars (Zea mays L.)? Davar Molazem1, Jafar Azimi2 *, Marefat Ghasemi2, Mohsen Hanifi2 and Ali Khatami2 1. Department of Agriculture Astara branch, Islamic Azad University, Astara, Iran 2. Ardabil branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran E-mail d.molazem@iau-astara.ac.ir Abstract: Considering Iran and Azerbaijan as origin countries in Astara region, and in order to study the effects of salt stress (NACL) on morphological characteristics changes of 8 maize cultivars were experimented in three replications on the basis of randomized complete block design. Cultivars included K3615/1, S.C704, B73, S.C302, Waxy, K3546/6, K3653/2, and Zaqatala and they were cultivated in two pieces of land in Astara: one with normal soil and the other with salty soil. During the experiment, Salt accumulation in leaves, leaf numbers, Leaf length, and yield characteristics such as weight of 100 grains, proline and grain yield, were measured. Results from the experiment showed that, regarding the most of characteristics, there were significant differences among cultivars and that, compared to normal conditions; saltiness had caused reduction in their values Soil salinity reduces leaf length in most cultivars. Maximum leaf length was found in Zaqatala and Sc704 respectively. Lowest leaf length, was seen in K3545.6 (49.85). Proline content increased with increasing soil salinity. Proline increases plant resistance to salinity. With increasing salinity, salt accumulation in leaves severely increased. Biggest accumulation in S.C704 was observed. The highest amount of proline was measured in this variety. This variety showed resistance to salinity, and with all the varieties were significant difference. [Davar Molazem, Jafar Azimi *, Marefat Ghasemi, Mohsen Hanifi and Ali Khatami. Is salinity tolerance related to Na accumulation in maize cultivars (Zea mays L.)?. Life Sci J 2013;10(1s):72-75] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 11 Keywords: Salinity, morphological characteristics, maize INTRODUCTION Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, chemical toxicity and oxidative stress are serious threats to agriculture and the natural status of the environment. Increased salinisation of arable land is expected to have devastating global effects, resulting in 30% land loss within the next 25 years, and up to 50% by the year 2050 (Wang et al., 2003). The deleterious effects of salinity on plant growth are associated with (1) low osmotic potential of soil solution (water stress), (2) nutritional imbalance, (3) specific ion effect (salt stress), or (4) a combination of these factors (Ashraf, 1994b; Marschner, 1995; Zhu, 2003; Turan et al., 2010). Salinity is known to adversely affect production of most crops worldwide (Hasegawa et al. 2000; Bayuelo-Jime´nez et al. 2002; Ashraf 2009). Soluble salts at higher concentrations in growth medium cause hyperosmolality and imbalance of nutrients in most plants that harmfully decline plant growth (Zhu, 2003; Turan et al., 2010). Many studies have shown that the height (jamil et al., 2007; Rui et al., 2009; Memon et al., 2010), growth index (Bandehhagh et al., 2008) and fresh and dry weights of the shoot and root system (Abdul Jaleel et al., 2007; Ashraf and Ali, 2008; Shahbaz et al., 2010) are affected negatively by changes in salinity concentration, type of salt present, or type of plant species. Numerous studies showed the affection of leaf area negatively by using different concentrations of NaCl (Zhao et al., 2007; Yilmaz and Kina, 2008; Rui et al., 2009). Maize is of primary cultivated kinds that had been by mankind. Ghalinat believed that maize has originated from (Zea Mexicana) because of mankind's interference (Rahimian and Banayan,1996). Till a few years ago, maize had been cultivated in Iran as a secondary corn behind other cultivars, but fortunately chow it was placed as main cultivated product and high attention have been paid to its cultivation with a view to preparing the herbivorous animals food. Many studies have been done about maize. About 500 different genes were recognized in maize and the chromosome plan of each of them was analyzed. Mach of the maize is Hybrid cultivated kind that has high performance by considering the Heterosis phenomenon. The main goal in improving the gene of the maize is increasing the yield in level unite and compatibility with environment and the quality of the corn and resistance against diseases. Nowadays, we are witness of main changes in this field by relying on new methods in improving gene such as biotechnology and molecular markers and we hope that we can done our selection on the basis of the marker's related genotypes with special gene that can control the wanted characteristics by using molecular markers (abdmishani, 1997).