SALT TOLERANCE AMONG DIFFERENT SUNFLOWER GENOTYPES

An experiment was carried out hydroponically in green house and laboratories of Saline Agriculture Research Centre, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2001-2002 for the identification of salt tolerant genotypes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), as well as their characteristics. Nine genotypes were grown in aerated Hoagland’s solution. Stepwise salinity was developed with NaCl to achieve final levels of 75, 150 and 225 mol m-3 salinity where as, control contained only Hoagland’s solution. After 30 days of final salinity level development, plants were harvested and data was recorded. Sunflower genotype SF-187 and SF-177 performed better in both control and saline conditions. These genotypes showed better shoot and root growth by maintaining least concentration of Na+ and higher concentration of K+ in leaf sap resulting in better K+: Na+. Genotype CRN- 1435 was most sensitive. It had minimum root and shoot growth, maximum accumulation of Na+ in leaf sap and least K+: Na+.