Salinity is one of the major threats to sustainable maize (Zea mays L.) production. The presented study sought to compare 50 maize inbred lines in pots filled with sand under three salinity levels: T₁ = NaCl @ 0 dsm^-1 (control), T₂ = NaCl @ 8 dsm^-1, and T₃ = NaCl @ 12 dsm^-1 at the seedling stage, held in the College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. The NaCl solutions of 0, 8, and 12 dsm^-1 salt concentrations served to irrigate the pots. Data collection of maize seedling traits continued after 28 days of seed sowing. The results have shown a significant differences among genotypes, NaCl levels, and their interaction effects on all studied plant traits. Statistical means comparison and principal component analysis indicated inbred lines G-2 (ILYL-19), G-11 (ILYL-30), G-26 (ILYL-7), and G-45 (DDR-15) showed high values for cell membrane stability under studied salt-stress conditions. Meanwhile, G-2 (ILYL-19), G-3 (PEIL-6), G-11 (ILYL-30), G-13 (ILYL-34), G-32 (ILYL-44), G-33 (ILYL-45), G-35 (PEIL-20), and G-45 (DDR-15) exhibited high mean values for shoot and root length, potassium contents, and root and shoot dry weights. They proved to be salt-tolerant maize inbred lines under all treatments at the seedling stage.

Keywords: Maize (Z. mays L.), genetic variability, salinity, salt tolerance, cell membrane stability

Key findings: The presence of genetic variability of maize (Z. mays L.) inbred lines for salinity tolerance and cell membrane stability under saline conditions indicated maize inbred lines G-3 (PEIL-6), G-11 (ILYL-30), G-33 (ILYL-45), G-35, and G-45 could be desirable for breeding salt-tolerant hybrids to enhance maize production in saline soils.