Salinity is one of the abiotic stresses that can affect the plant growth and productivity. For this purpose, the present study was conducted at Department of Botany, University of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan, to evaluate the responses of different zea mays genotypes for physiological traits under salt stress. A total of four zea mays genotypes: LP, DLW, DLH and YC were evaluated for physiological study. A pot experiment was conducted, after the germination different concentrations (Control, 50, 100 and 200mM) of salt were applied at appropriate stages. For physiological traits the Proline content (62.35%) was recorded in DLW (100mM) minimum reduction DLH (100mM) 14.23%. Maximum reduction in Chlorophyll a content was recorded in DLW (50mM), minimum reduction (28.71%) was recorded in DLW (100mM). Chlorophyll b content (44.17%) was recorded in LP (200mM), minimum reduction (1.81%) was recorded in DLH (200mM). Maximum reduction (81.73%) regarding protein content was recorded in DLW (200mM) whereas minimum reduction (24.14%) in DLW (100mM), maximum reduction (92.68%) regarding hydrogen peroxide was recorded in DLW (50mM) minimum reduction (27.93%) was recorded in DLW (200mM) respectively. Owing to these characters, the representative selection of resistant genotype is suggested to be used as a salt tolerant genotype.

Key words: Zea Mays, Abiotic stress, NaCl, Proline, Chlorphyll.