Author/Authors :
Hussain, S.A. University of Agriculture - Saline Agriculture Research Center (SARC), Institute of Soil Environmental Sciences, Pakistan , Akhtar, J. University of Agriculture - Saline Agriculture Research Center (SARC), Institute of Soil Environmental Sciences, Pakistan , Anwar-ul-Haq, M. University of Agriculture - Saline Agriculture Research Center (SARC), Institute of Soil Environmental Sciences, Pakistan , Riaz, M.A. University of Agriculture - Saline Agriculture Research Center (SARC), Institute of Soil Environmental Sciences, Pakistan , Saqib, Z.A. University of Agriculture - Saline Agriculture Research Center (SARC), Institute of Soil Environmental Sciences, Pakistan
Abstract :
To investigate the effect of saline and/or sodic waters on growth and ionic concentration in sunflower, ten genotypes were grown in solution culture. Five treatments of irrigation water viz. T1 (control), T2 (EC 10 dS m^-1), T3 (SAR 20 mmol L^-1)^1/2, T4 (RSC 5.4 meL^-1), T5 (EC 10 dS m^-1) + (SAR 20 mmol L^-1)^1/2 + (RSC 5.4 meL^-1), having different ECiw, SAR and RSC were used. Root/shoot fresh and dry weight and K^+/Na^+ in plant samples were determined. Growth parameters and ionic analysis showed a differential response to varying levels of salinity and/or sodicity. Also variations existed among genotypes for their response to all stress levels. SF-187 was ranked as tolerant because this genotype produced the maximum shoot fresh weight (SFW) and K^+/Na^+ ratio at all stress levels. The genotypes Hysun-33 was ranked as salt sensitive along with Hysun-38 which was at par with Hysun-33.
Keywords :
Sunflower , saline water , salinity tolerance , growth , ionic concentration
