DROUGHT-INDUCED MODULATION IN GROWTH AND MINERAL NUTRIENTS IN CANOLA (BRASSICA NAPUS L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to assess drought-induced modulation in growth and mineral composition of canola (Brassica napus L.). Four canola accessions [two drought tolerant (Dunkeld and 24177) and two sensitive (24173 and Pakola)] were grown in sandy loam soil. The plants of all four canola cultivars were subjected to three drought stress treatments i.e. normal watering (full field capacity), 75% and 50% field capacity (FC) at two growth stages (vegetative stage and flowering stage). Imposition of drought stress at different growth stages caused a significant decrease in shoot and root fresh and dry weights, shoot and root length, and shoot and root K+, Ca2+, N and P. Maximum reduction in these variables was observed at 50% FC in all canola accessions. The higher drought tolerance of Dunkeld and 24177 measured in terms of shoot fresh and dry biomass was found to be associated with higher concentrations of K+ and N maintained in its shoot particularly at the flowering stage.