Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Sathwik MN Raj, Ashok Priyadarshan AM, Mohammed Azharuddin BR, Sachin Kenchannavar, Murali MK, Ameer Pasha B, Manoj M, Shashank S and Santhosh GP

Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to study the effects of water deficit stress on the germination and seedling growth of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Four sorghum genotypes (CSV29-R, M35-1, BJV-44 and Phule Vasudha) were evaluated under six water stress treatments (0, -2, -4, -6, -8 and -10 bars) using Polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000) as an osmoticum. The mean germination percentage significantly decreased with the increasing water stress across all genotypes. Among the genotypes, CSV29-R recorded highest germination percentage and M35-1 recorded highest seedling length (shoot and root length combined) indicating better adaptability to water stress condition.