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SALT TOLERANCE STUDIES IN SOME MUTANTS OF BRASSICA (BRASSICA JUNCEA, CV: S- 9)

M.U. SHIRAZI, M.A. KHAN, B. KHANZADA, S.M. MUJTABA, MUKHTIAR ALI, MUHAMMAD ALI, SABA MUMTAZ, AISHA SHEREEN, AQIL SIDDIQUE AND J. A. SHAH

Abstract: Salt tolerance studies were conducted in mutants of locally grown variety of Brassica juncea (cv. S-9). The studies were conducted in gravel culture exposed to two salinity levels (i.e. Control (1.5 dS/m) and 12.0 dS/m). Crop was irrigated weekly, with 1/4^th strength modified Hoagland nutrient solution, salinized by common salt (NaCl). Among the mutants tested, the performance of the mutants (S-97- 1.0 E/20, S-97- 1.0 E/21) was comparatively better than the others showing less than 50% reduction in different growth parameters (i.e. plant height, number of pods, pod length and grain yield / plant). On the other hand, the mutants S-97-100/45, S-97-100/48 and the parent genotype (S-9) showed sensitivity at 12 dS/m salinity level. The performance of S-97- 1.0 E/29 and S-97-75/36 mutants was intermediate. The leaf samples analyzed for inorganic osmolyte (i.e. sodium and potassium), showed that the mutants S-97-1.0E/20 and S-97-1.0E/21 had high K/Na ratio, possibly due to less decrease in potassium (K⁺). Hence it was concluded that the adaptability of tolerant brassica mutants might be due to high K/Na ratio for turgor maintenance.

Plant Physiology Division, Nuclear Institute of Agriculture, Tandojam, Pakistan