Vol. 11, Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
R Vigneshwaran, K Baskar, PP Mahendran, E Murugan and T Ragavan

Abstract:
Soil salinity is an increasing problem in the world and main obstacle to agricultural production. It adversely affects plant growth and development. Adoption of salt tolerant variety is more important here and so screening of salt tolerant germplasms is essential. For this reason, a hydroponic experiment was conducted at Soil Science Laboratory, Agricultural Research Station Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and Coimbatore to investigate the effect of NaCl on germination, morphological characters and growth of sorghum seedlings. The experiment comprised with hundred sorghum genotypes with three levels of NaCl concentration viz. Control (without NaCl) and Electrical Conductivity with 4 and 8 dSm⁻¹ in hydroponic culture. The experiment in a CRD with two replications was conducted. Based on Cluster analysis the genotypic responses were recorded. Results showed that root and shoot length, leaf length, leaf sheath length, fresh, dry biomass production were influenced by NaCl stress. Among the hundred genotypes tested best K12 and TKSV 1307 showed the highest tolerant to NaCl stress based on the above parameters studied and recommended for saline soils.