Identification and evaluation of salt tolerance mechanisms in commercial banana varieties

Banana crop suffers from marginal chlorosis of leaves and about 30 per cent yield loss in saline-sodic soils. The severity of this malady differs from variety to variety and to the level and extent of soil salinity and sodicity. So far, no clear cut salt tolerance mechanism has been identified in banana. A trial was initiated for testing the concepts of salt tolerance like, Na exclusion, compartmentation of Na ions, dilution of Na due to tissue expansion and K/Na selectivity in banana. Among the concepts of salt tolerance studied, K/Na selectivity was found to be most relevant salt tolerance mechanism in banana crop. Salt tolerance was in the order of Poovan > Karpuravalli > Robusta > Monthan > Rasthali > Nendran.