Ionic concentration and growth response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes under saline and/or sodic water application

To investigate the effect of saline and/or sodic waters on growth and ionic concentration in sunflower, ten genotypes were grown in solution culture. Five treatments of irrigation water viz. T1 (control), T2 (EC 10 dS m(-1)), T3 (SAR 20 mmol L-1)(1/2), T4 (RSC 5.4 meL(-1)), T5 (EC 10 dS m(-1)) + (SAR 20 mmol L-1)(1/2) + ( RSC 5.4 meL(-1)), having different ECiw, SAR and RSC were used. Root/shoot fresh and dry weight and K+/Na+ in plant samples were determined. Growth parameters and ionic analysis showed a differential response to varying levels of salinity and/or sodicity. Also variations existed among genotypes for their response to all stress levels. SF-187 was ranked as tolerant because this genotype produced the maximum shoot fresh weight (SFW) and K+/Na+ ratio at all stress levels. The genotypes Hysun-33 was ranked as salt sensitive along with Hysun-38 which was at par with Hysun-33.