Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur-416004
Effect of different levels of soil salinity on growth, stomatal response, 14CO2 assimilation, products of steady state photosynthesis and activity of main photosynthetic enzymes in a sorghum hybrid were investigated. Soil salinity adversely affected photosynthetic area as well as rate of carbon assimilation. The lowered photosynthetic ability under salt stress conditions was due to stomatal closure inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis end the decreased activity of PEP and RuBP carboxylases. Excessive accumulation of malate during steady state photosynthesis could be correlated with the possible inhibition of malic enzyme. The reduction in yield was attributed to the low rate of photosynthesis and reduced synthesis of sugars. It is concluded that sorghum hybrid CSH-5 is salt sensitive and records negligible yield beyond soil salinity of 1.6 EC.
