Abstract: Different concentration gradients of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ were applied to stress treatment of the maize inbred lines Zheng 58, DK516♀,DK516♂ and Chang 7-2 at germination stage. The germination index was examined and the salt resistance of four maize germplasm was identified. The results showed that, except for the germination rate, other germination potential, germination index, vitality index, germ length, germ fresh weight and germ dry weight were all significantly decreased with the increase of salt concentration. The comprehensive performance of salt resistance was that Chang 7-2 had the strongest tolerance, DK516♀ was the second, DK516♂ was the third, and Zheng 58 had the weakest tolerance. The root system of Chang 7-2 and DK516♂ are more developed than that of DK516♀ and Zheng 58, and it is preliminarily inferred that DK516♂ and Chang 7-2 are relatively good at resistance lodging. However, this inference is subject to further verification by field test.

Key words: maize, germination stage, salt stress, salt tolerance