Sugar metabolism and carbon partitioning of sugarcane genotypes under salinity stress condition

The enzymes involved in sugar metabolism were significantly affected under salt stress condition. The resistant genotypes C 92038 and Co 85004 performed better in terms of recording higher enzyme activity compared to susceptible genotypes Si 94050 and Co 85036 under salt stress condition. The results TSS, sucrose, reducing sugar content and percentage of carbon allocation of different organs indicated that the, the salt stress not only affect the sucrose import from the source leaf but also import of carbon to reducing and non reducing sugars which may vary with genotypes. Tolerant genotypes (C 92038 and Co 85004) showed better ability in allocation of more of carbon towards sucrose as well as efficient partitioning of CHO towards stem (sink tissues) than sheath and leaf (source tissue) compared to susceptible genotypes (Si 94050 and Co 85036). Though the availability of the CHO is affected under salinity condition the sink is not able to utilize the photosynthates in effective manner. Hence, under salinity condition, regulation of carbon allocation and partitioning to its sink organ seem to be more important than the CHO availability.