EXOGENOUS GIBBERELLIC ACID AMELIORATES SALINITY-INDUCED MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN Portulaca grandiflora

An investigation was carried out to estimate the NaCl stress and ameliorative effects of Gibberellic Acid (GA(3)) on Portulaca grandiflora Hook. A crop experiment was conducted (CRBD) where all the pots were irrigated to field capacity. The treatments were given as (T0) control without NaCl, (T1) 80 mM NaCl, (T2) 80 mM NaCl and 50 ppm GA(3), (T3) 80 mM NaCl and 75 ppm GA(3) and (T4) 80 mM NaCl and 100 ppm GA(3). The samples were collected at 90 DAS. It was found that plants subjected to salt stress generally showed a reduction of vegetative growth. GA(3) spraying on Portulaca grandiflora with 75 ppm showed a high amelioration effect on growth and on biochemical patterns, which enhanced salt tolerance. In Portulaca grandiflora, data showed that NaCl stress inhibited fresh and dry weight and further introduced significant deviation on some biochemical parameters. However, GA(3) partially ameliorated growth and some biochemical parameters of Portulaca grandiflora under NaCl stress.