Combination Effect of Temperature and Salinity Stress on Germination of Different Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

 Maize is a versatile crop, but which may suffer from high temperature and salinity stress. This study investigated effects of combined stress of temperature and salinity on seed germination of 16 maize varieties. Results from this study identified varieties with high-temperature tolerance and salinity tolerance. The experiments were generally well designed and data were properly explained. After reviewing, I think that this study is a little simple, and have following comments and suggestions:

1. There were only 3 temperatures (15, 20 and 35°C) and 2 salinity levels (0 and 100 mM) in this study. I think more treatments should tested

2. For each treatment, only 24 seeds of a variety were used, with poor representativeness.

3. To put 10 ml solution into a petri dish once may cause the seeds immerged, lead to poor germination depending on seed size.  

4. A 9-days’ germination test without refreshing test solution may cause change in salinity levels, especially when incubated at 35°C. Though sealed with Parafilm, it can reduce but can not avoid water loss because moisture can pass through it.

Because I am expert at a seed science, I can only evaluate this study at this aspect. I do not recommend acceptance because this study is a little simple, I think.

 

Author Response

Dear Professor,

Enclosed please find our answers for your review. 
Thank you for your kind help!

Sincerley,
The Authors

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The attached document contains some suggestions to be considered.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Professor,

Enclosed please find our answers for your review. 
Thank you for your kind help!

Sincerley,
The Authors

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Title

Is: Combination Effect of Temperature and Salinity Stress on Germination of Different Maize (Zea Mays L.) Varieties

Should be: Combination Effect of Temperature and Salinity Stress on Germination of Different Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties

 

Key words

Avoid repeating words giving in the title.

 

Introduction

Line 45: is (Z. mays ssp. Parviglumis); should be  (Z. mays ssp. parviglumis)

 

Materials and Methods

Lines 132-136: 

“The seeds were germinated at three different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C), with 20 °C chosen as the optimal temperature for maize germination based on a recent study on a temperate maize hybrid [19]. Based on other studies, the best temperature for maize germination activity is between 25 °C – 28 °C, with temperatures below 10 °C delaying seedling emergence [44,45].”

Why the authors chose 20°C as the optimal temperature? According to the information given in the second sentence, it should be a temperature of 25°C. In addition, it would be an average value between 15 and 35 C.

 

Results, Discussion, Conclusions

I have no objections to the description of the results, discussions and conclusions. My only doubt is about the significant scatter of the data, because the value of the standard deviation is often greater than the average value. I am asking the authors to respond to my doubts.

I agree with the authors that the presented results are only an introduction to further pot and/or field research.

 

Author Response

Dear Professor,

Enclosed please find our answers for your review. 
Thank you for your kind help!

Sincerley,
The Authors

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

I agree with the authors' idea to publish this manuscript as Communication instead of Article as this trial is just a preliminary stage for further pot and field trial.

Reviewer 3 Report

I accept the authors' answers and explanations. However, I still
believe that such a presentation of statistic data raises serious
doubts of readers.