Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Vikas V Kulkarni, Hema latha A and Sree Vathsa Sagar US

Abstract:
Productivity of sunflower under moisture stress is primarily determined by seed germination and the seedling vigour for appropriate crop stand. Screening of genotypes for moisture stress under field has uncertainties due to the uncontrolled conditions, interaction of biotic and abiotic stresses and variability in environmental factors. Hence, in the present investigation, response of seventeen sunflower genotypes to moisture stress at germination and seedling stage was recorded by using polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) as drought stimulator under laboratory conditions. Four levels of osmotic stress (-0.3 MPa, -0.6 MPa, - 0.9 MPa, -1.2 MPa) were created and performances were monitored against the control. All genotypes recorded reduced seedling growth parameters with increasing osmotic stress. However, five genotypes (RSLP-41, RSLP-14, CMS-104 B, RSLP-24 and RSLP-33) showed seed germination and root length even at -0.9 MPa where all other genotypes did not germination at this higher concentration of PEG-6000 indicating moisture tolerance. However, at -1.2 MPa concentration none of the genotypes survived this indicates the lethality of PEG dose.