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EFFECT OF SALINITY ON POLLEN VIABILITY OF DIFFERENT CANOLA (BRASSICA NAPUS L.) CULTIVARS AS REFLECTED BY THE FORMATION OF FRUITS AND SEEDS

HUMAIRA GUL AND RAFIQ AHMAD

Abstract: Effect of salinity on pollen viability, germination and yield was investigated on 8 canola cvs. Dunkled, Canola-III, Oscar, Ganyou-5, Ganyou-2, Rainbow, Abasin-95 and Westar. Plants were irrigated with non saline, 0.2% (E.C 2.5 dS.m^-1). 0.4% (E.C 4.5 dS.m^-1) and 0.6% (6.5 dS.m^-1) of sea salt concentrations. Plant growth on vegetative as well as reproductive phases was proportionately inhibited with respect to increasing salinity in irrigation water. Pollen viability and germination was in general adversely affected under saline water irrigation in all cultivars. Two cvs. Oscar and Rainbow exhibited good performance in pollen germination and yield in non saline conditions and show slow reduction in the respective parameters at high salinity level. Hence, these two cultivars could be graded as best cultivars with respect to above mentioned parameters.
 

Biosaline Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Karachi, Pakistan.