Comparative Studies of Drought, Salinity and their Combinations on Germination and Seedling Growth Parameters of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) cv.

The seeds of Brassica juncea species were screened for tolerance and susceptibility to salt (NaCl), drought (PEG) and their combination using germination marker. Present research was carried out in order to observe the effects of salinity, drought and their combinations at very critical stages of plant life, i.e., seed germination and early seedling growth. The salinity stress was imposed using, 50 mM, 100 mM and 150 mM Sodium Chloride (NaCl) solutions, drought by 5%, 10% and 15% polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000)Solutions and combinations were as follows: (1) (2.5% PEG + 25 mM NaCl), (2) (5% PEG + 50 mM NaCl) and (3) (7.5% PEG + 75 mM NaCl). All the results obtained for radicle length and plant height of PUSA-AGRANI were highly significantly (P < 0.01) than other varieties under combination levels. Similarly, the germination percentage of CS-52 and RH-30 were more affected under combination levels. Results reveal that cultivar PUSA-AGRANI might be the tolerant variety and CS-52 might be sensitive towards both stress and their combinations.