Response of Mango (Mangifera indica) genotypes to granded level of salt stress

Abstract

Seedlings of 4 polyembryonic mango (Mmgifern indica L.) genotypes were grown in earthen pots of 30 cm lined 1:2 with polythene under polythene tent. Different soil EC,:, levels ((0.30 dS/m (control) to 6.32dSIm) were maintained through application of NaCl : Na,CO, : K,SO, in 2: 1 : 1 ratio. There was drastic difference in sirviva1 of mango genotypes in different salinity levels. 'Kurukkan' and 'Olour' seem to be more tolerant than 'Kerala 1' and 'Kerala 2'. They could survive up to 4.23 dS/m while 'Kerala 1' and 'Kerala 2' could not survive beyond 1.29 dS/m salinity levels. Growth rate was reduced in all genotypes as salinity level increased, however 'Kerala 1' and 'Kerala 2' were severely affected. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in chlorophyll content at different salinity levels. Chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll contents decreased sharply in all genotypes with increasing soil salinity.