Salt stress reduces the capability of crops to up take water. The K+ and Na+ contents are critically important in plants; these may rise toxic levels . The present study is a scientific attempt to understand the genetic behavior and response of different sunflower genotypes to tolerate salt stress at seedling stage. Salt treatment was given at germination stage and seedling stage hydroponically. There was decrease in final germination percentage (FGP), radicle length, plumule length, K + ion concentration, shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, total se edling biomass. An increase in time to start germination, time to 50% germination (T50), Na + contents, Na+/K+ ratio was recorded in an increase in salinity levels. Genotype A-84 proved as highly susceptible whereas A-11 found as tolerant to salt stress. Correlation analysis exhibited positive correlation between potassium ion concentration and plant biomass but negative association with sodium ion concentration. Plumule length showed positive correlation with plant biomass, potassium ion concentration and sodium ion concentration. Root fresh weight was positively correlated with plant biomass, sodium ion concentration and plumule length. There are various plant responses over time, to provide a conceptual framework will enable further progress in understanding of the molecular regulation of salt tolerance. The selected genotypes could be used in breeding programs aimed to breed for high yield salt tolerant sunflower varieties.
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