Vol. 11, Issue 5 (2022)

Author(s):
Kumawat Sarla, Kumawat Ravi, Kumawat Kana Ram, Gothwal DK and Banjarey Prabha

Abstract:
Salinity is one of the main factors responsible for deterioration and poor agricultural productivity in semi-arid and arid regions due to reducing seed germination and seedling establishment. An in vitro investigation was carried out at the Laboratory of Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sri Karan Narendra College of Agriculture, Jobner (Rajasthan). This experiment was carried out to assess the genotypic response of ten fenugreek genotypes under different salinity levels using five levels of NaCl salinity viz. 0.0 mM, 40 mM, 80 mM, 120 mM and 160 mM. Fifteen seeds of each genotype were sown in sterilized Petridishes and seedling observations were recorded. The genotypes showed significant differences for most of the traits in each of the salinity level and pooled ANOVA exhibited significant differences among genotypes, both salinity levels as well as the interactions between genotype x salinity levels, indicating differential response of genotypes along the salinity gradients for most of the characters. Fenugreek showed moderately tolerant to salinity up to 40 mM NaCl, but varied in degree of salt tolerance as salinity increased, it affected by their seedling traits. The highest GCV and PCV values were observed in radicle fresh weight followed by plumule dry weight and radicle dry weight indicating that variation was high for these characters. Heritability in board sense was generally high for plumule and radicle fresh weight, plumule dry weight, radicle length, plumule to radicle length ratio and seedling length across the salinity levels. Hence, these high heritable traits would be rewarding for selection for better crop improvement programme. Mean value was recorded higher in the control and higher reduction at higher salinity level for most of traits viz., plumule length, radicle length, seedling length, plumule to radicle length ratio, plumule fresh weight, radicle fresh weight, plumule dry weight, radicle dry weight and seedling vigour index. Over different salinity levels S1, S2, S3 and S4 (Sm) and characters, RMt-303, UM-385, RMt-143 and RMt-305 would be found desirable used for better seedling enhancement under salinity. These lines would be used for further crop breeding programme under this climate changing era.