Salt tolerance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss)

Relative Salt tolerance potential of ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss) genotypes assessed at salinity levels of 2.1 (control), 6.8 and 10.5 dS m(-1) revealed that seed yield with 61.3% reduction at the highest salinity over control was severely affected. However, 1000-seed weight with 22.6% reduction at the same salinity level was the most resistant trait under such conditions. Amongst. the genotypes, SAL-3 with minimum reduction in. seed yield at the highest salinity over control (54%) and the highest mean susceptibility index (NISI) value (7.0) was the most tolerant. On the contrary, CSTR-338-1 with maximum seed yield reduction (74%) at the highest salinity over control and least MSI (5.2) value was the most sensitive. Tolerant genotypes were typically characterized by, several. fold wider K/Na ratio at the salinity level of 10.5 dS m(-1) over its preceding EC level of 6.8 dS m(-1). Our results revealed that salt tolerant genotypes could be conveniently screened by a proportion of wider K/Na ratio. at the threshold salinity over its preceding salinity level.