Physio-chemical response of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes to soil salinity

The present investigation was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, Department of Vegetable Science and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Botany Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The experiment was laid out in split plot design keeping the salinity levels as main factor and genotypes as sub main factor. One hundred and two genotypes of brinjal of varied texture, shape and size were selected for the study from brinjal. For induction of salinity, sodium chloride, magnesium sulphate and calcium chloride were used in ratio 2:1:1 in field and pot through irrigation water. These genotypes were screened for salt tolerance at four different levels of salinity (control, 2 dS/m, 4 dS/m and 6 dS/m) in field as well as in pot and categorized as 17 genotypes under tolerant, 41 as semi-tolerant and 44 were susceptible to salinity. Tolerant genotypes were further evaluated for physic-chemical characters. It has been observed from the investigation that proline, protein, phenols and MDA content in brinjal was increased as the salinity level increased but hydrogen peroxide was decreased as the salinity level increased might be due to change in osmotic and ionic potential. Further it is seen from the data that sodium and chlorine content in roots were increased as the salinity level increased but potassium and calcium content was decreased. Brinjal genotypes SL-8-PB-1-3-1-4, KBSR-343-1 and BL-215 performed superior for these physio-chemical characters at all salinity levels. It is concluded from the present investigation SL-8-PB-1-3-1-4 (Small Long), KBSR-343-1 (Small round) and BL-215 (Long) emerged as ideal genotypes for salt tolerance under field conditions. Physio-chemical characters of these genotypes were least affected under salt stress. From the present study, these three brinjal genotypes may be recommended for future studies in salt affected area.