Effects of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) on Germination Properties of Maize (Zea mays indentata L.) Plant Under Salt Stress

This study was carried out in 2022 in the Field Crops Laboratory of Ordu University Faculty of Agriculture in order to determine the effects of different salt (NaCl) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃) applications on the germination properties of dent corn maize. Four different NaCl concentrations (0-100-200 and 400 mM) and four different KNO₃ concentrations (0-0.5-1 and 2 mM) were applied to corn seeds. The experiment was established the factorial design in randomized plots with 3 replications. In the study, germination rate (%), average germination time (days), radicular fresh and dry weight (g), plumule fresh and dry weight (g), radicular length (mm) and plumule length (mm) values were calculated. As a result of the study, the effects of NaCl applications were significant at the level of 1% in all the examined properties, while the effect of KNO₃ applications was significant at the level of 1% on germination rate, at the level of 5% on plumule length, and the effect on other examined properties was found to be insignificant. The effect of NaClxKNO₃ interactions was significant at the 1% level on the germination rate, 5% on the average germination time, plumule length and radicle length, while the effect on other properties was insignificant. With the increase of NaCl doses, decreases occurred in all the examined properties, while decreases were observed in the inhibitory effect of NaCl with KNO₃ applications. As a result of the regression analysis, it was determined that the highest decrease in the properties occurred at NaCl doses of 200 mM and above, and the plant was stressed at a dose of 200 mM in maize.