Genotypic Variability in Salinity Tolerance of Some Vegetable Crop Species at Germination and Seedling Stage

Using a novel semi-hydroponic technique it was assessed that highly significant differences were found among all genotypes with respect to seedling parameters studied. In all vegetable crops, in general, significant differences were found among genotype, NaCl - concentration and interaction between genotypes & NaCl - concentration with respect to emergence (%), emergence index, shoot length & root length. High r² and low CV (%) indicates the reliability of the technique. Emergence was highly correlated with shoot length, and Root length showing the contribution of shoot length and root length to salinity tolerance in different vegetable crops. With increasing salinity, there was increase in root length in salinity tolerant lines but there was corresponding decrease in root length in susceptible ones. Salinity tolerant genotypes was selected in okra at 0.1 M NaCl: 7025, 7033 and 703. Salinity tolerant genotypes was selected in tomato at 0.1 M NaCl: 132, 113, 125, 126 and 12, also in chilli at 0.1 M NaCl.