Influence of Soil Salinity on Production of Dry Matter and Uptake and Distribution of Nutrients in Barley and Corn: II. Corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.)¹

Abstract

Abstract The production of dry matter and the uptake of nutrients by corn ( Zea mays L.) from soil adjusted to different levels of salinity with a mixture of salts were evaluated and compared with results obtained with barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). Soil salinity levels ranging from EC values of 0 to 16 mmhos/cm of the soil solution at field capacity were induced following germination of the plants by addition of a solution containing one part Na 2 SO 4 , one part MgSO 4 , and one part CaCl 2 . During the growth period of 93 days, increasing soil salinity increased sulfate‐S and chloride in the saturation extract and lowered soil pH. Exchangeable Na, Mg, and Ca increased markedly, while exchangeable K and available P increased only slightly. Increasing salinity had little or no effect on acid‐extractable Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn. Production of dry matter by the leaves, stems, and tassels of corn decreased significantly with increasing salinity. In the case of the leaves and stems of corn, coefficients of correlation indicate significant negative relationships between soil salinity and uptake of P, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, and Mn, and a positive relationship between soil salinity and uptake of Na. In the case of the corn tassels, significant negative relationships exist between salinity and uptake of Ca, Fe, and Mn.