Morpho-physiological characterization of barnyard millet mutants for salt tolerance

DOI: 10.37992/2023.1403.141

  • L. Vigneshwari, C. Vanniarajan, M. Vetriventhan,
  • A. Thanga Hemavathy, T. Ramesh and S. Meena

Abstract

The Indian Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea), is a climate-resilient crop noted for its wide adaptability, short growth cycle, high nutritional value and stress tolerance. The present study was conducted to assess the salt tolerance level of the barnyard millet mutants. Twenty-five barnyard millet mutants along with check (MDU1 and CO(KV)2) were subjected to varying concentrations of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) salt stress under controlled conditions. Germination percentage, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings were recorded, and stress tolerance indices were calculated. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among mutants in response to salt stress. Highly tolerant mutants exhibited improved germination percentages and maintained favourable water relations under stress. The Relative Salt Injury Rate (RSIR) increased with higher salt levels, indicating increased sensitivity. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between salt tolerance traits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) helped to identify the main characteristics that caused variations among mutants. The significant contributors to this variation were Vigour Index (VI), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Relative Water Content (RWC), and RSIR. Cluster analysis categorized mutants into four clusters, clearly distinguishing highly tolerant mutants from susceptible ones. Based on the findings promising salt-tolerant mutants, such as ACM21022, ACM21016, ACM21017, ACM21024, and ACM21014, were identified with the potential to contribute to future millet breeding programs.

Keywords: NaHCO3, Salt tolerance, mutants, stress tolerance indices, correlation analysis, PCA, cluster analysis.

Published
03-10-2023
How to Cite
L. Vigneshwari, C. Vanniarajan, M. Vetriventhan, A. Thanga Hemavathy, T. Ramesh and S. Meena

Morpho-physiological characterization of barnyard millet mutants for salt tolerance

. 2023. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 14 3, 1147-1157. Retrieved from https://ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/4911
Issue
Vol 14 No 3 (2023): EJPB
Section
Research Article

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