Salinity tolerance of Panicum maximum genotypes for germination and seedling growth

Abstract

Twenty-eight diverse genotypes of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) were screened against different salinity levels to select the tolerant genotypes. In general, a low or moderate level of salinity was found to have a stimulating effect on germination in most of the genotypes. More than 50% of genotypes showed higher germination per cent at EC 12 and 16 as compared to control. For seedling vigour measured in terms of radical and plumule length, the genotypes identified as tolerant included IG 01-169, IG 01-189, IG 97-48, IG 01-173 and IG 01-94 for radicle growth and IG 01-97, IG 01-196 and IG 01-119 for plumule growth. Analysis by susceptibility index revealed that most of the genotypes were tolerant to moderate level of salinity. Genotypes IG 97-48, IG 01- 94, IG 01-173 and IG 01-97 were most tolerant. Eight genotypes viz. IG 01-125, IG 01-108, IG 01-188, IG 01- 229, IG 01-104, IG 01-113, IG 01-165 and IG 01-216 possessing positive SSI values, were considered as most susceptible. Rest of genotypes possessed moderate tolerance to salinity condition. Field tolerance study revealed the genotypes such as IG 01-162, IG 01- 189, IG 01-101, IG 01-183, IG 97-6 and IG 97-4 to possess tolerance to 9.5 pH. The study will help in identifying suitable genotypes for salinity prone areas in the country.