Genetic variability for seedling stage salinity tolerance in barnyard millet [Echinochloa frumentaceae (Roxb.)Link]

  • Greetty Williams, C. Vanniarajan, M. Vetriventhan, S. Thiageshwari, K. Anandhi and B. Rajagopal AC & RI, Madurai, TNAU

Abstract

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa  frumentaceae) has a potential to withstand salinity. The existing genetic variability for salinity tolerance in 32 barnyard millet accessions was assessed based on the morpho-physiological parameters governing salt tolerance viz., germination percentage, relative germination rate, root length, shoot length, seedling length, vigour index, relative salt injury rate and relative water content. Under gradual increase in the intensity of salt stress, decrease in germination percentage, relative germination rate, root length, shoot length, seedling length, vigour index, relative water content and increase in relative salt injury rate was observed. The antioxidant assay also revealed that catalase and peroxidase activity increased with rise in salt level in tolerant genotypes (ACM161, ACM295, ACM335, GECH10, IEc167) but the enzyme activity in the salt sensitive genotypes (IEc134, IEc348, IEc607) declined with increase in salt concentration, when compared to control. The salt tolerant genotypes maintained higher relative water content and enzyme activity under salt stress. Hence, this may be the underlying mechanism for salt tolerance.

Published
17-06-2019
How to Cite
Greetty Williams, C. Vanniarajan, M. Vetriventhan, S. Thiageshwari, K. Anandhi and B. Rajagopal
Genetic variability for seedling stage salinity tolerance in barnyard millet [Echinochloa frumentaceae Roxb.Link]. 2019. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 10 2, 552-558. Retrieved from https://ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/3229
Section
Research Article