Effect of Salt Stress on Photosynthetic Pigments of Banana Genotypes

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of salt stress on photosynthetic pigments of banana genotypes under semi protected condition during 2012. The experiment was laid out in CRD and replicated thrice. Banana genotypes were imposed with salinity levels of, 0 mM NaCl (Control), 100 mM NaCl, 150 mM NaCl and 200 mM NaCl at forty five days after the application of salinity stress, the growth responses were studied. During the experimental period Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were affected by increased salinity levels. Salt stress reduced the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of all the genotypes, but the extent of reduction was minimal in ‘Ney Poovan’, ‘Poovan’, ‘Karpooravalli’ and ‘Chakkiya’, whereas reduction was higher in ‘Grand Naine’, ‘Rasthali’, ‘Tongat’, ‘FHIA-1’, ‘FHIA-17’ and ‘FHIA-23’.