Screening of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) Varieties for Salinity Tolerance Using Morpho-physiological Traits

Pot culture experiment was conducted with four varieties of mustard namely Urvashi, Vardan, Vaibhav and Kranti grown at four levels of salinity viz. 5.0, 10.0 and 15 dS^-m-1 along with normal irrigated control. Leaf area did not differ significantly with increasing salinity levels. Chlorophyll content, NR activity, nitrogen content, relative water content (RWC) reduced with the increasing levels of salinity. Based on the study, Kranti was identified as salt tolerant and suitable to grow under salt affected soil. Study also indicated that relative water content (RWC) at 75 days after sowing (DAS) may be used as screening trait in mustard for screening salt tolerant genotypes.