Modulation of plant water relations by gibberellic acid in mothbean under salinity

Two genotypes of mothbean namely “IPCMO-912” and “FMM-96” were grown in non-saline and saline nursery. Plants were sprayed with gibberellic acid at 35 and 45 days after sowing in addition to pre-soaking seed treatment. The water relation parameters were estimated in leaves from 30 days to 50 days after sowing at an interval of 5 days. The water potential, osmotic potential and turgor potential decreased due to salinity in both the genotypes. However, the decrease was much higher in “FMM-96” than “IPCMO-912”. Salinity caused significant decrease in leaf transpiration in both the genotypes. The fall in plant water relation parameters under salinity was alleviated to some extent by gibberellic acid treatment in the two genotypes. The hormone was more effective in alleviating salinity stress in “FMM-96” than “IPCMO-912”.