SCREENING FOR WATER DEFICIT STRESS TOLERANCE IN Brassica napus L. USING PEG-6000

The present in vitro study was conducted to screen 60 genotypes of Brassica napus L. at seedling stage in Polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) mediated drought stress. The trial was laid out in a completely randomized design with factorial structured treatments having three replications. Three levels of stress, i.e. 0 (control), -0.35 and -0.60 MPa were developed by dissolving 0, 5, l0g of PEG-6000/100 ml de-ionized water respectively. After 14 days data was recorded for shoot length (cm), root length (cm), fresh root and shoot weight (g) and dry root and shoot weight (g). The seedlings growth decreased with increasing concentration of PEG-6000 due to an increase in water stress. The genotypes which showed better performance in both treatments were selected as drought tolerant genotypes. Eight genotypes that are Faisal sarson, Dunkled, RBN, Punjab sarson, Rainbow, Chakwal sarson, Shiralee and Legand were selected as drought tolerant genotypes. These drought tolerant genotypes will be helpful for genetic improvement in Brassica napus L. crop in the future breeding programmes. The current research will be helpful for the selection of tolerant genotypes in water deficit conditions at early seedling stage.