GERMINATION RESPONSES OF SENSITIVE AND TOLERANT SUGARCANE LINES TO SODIUM-CHLORIDE

Two selected sugarcane lines were investigated for their responses to high levels of salinity at the germination stage. It was seen that CP- 4333 had a substantial potential for salt tolerance, as it exhibited h igh rate and percentage of germination, prompt emergence and elongatio n of shoot and root, along with a higher dry weight and water content under NaCl. Decreased Na+ and Cl- and increased K+ were also noticeabl e in the tolerant line showing a markedly higher K+:Na+ ratio. Applied salinity decreased Ca, N and P content of both the lines, but signifi cant genotypic differences were evident. This phenomenon lowered the t oxic ions and brought about a better utilization of water and essentia l nutrients in dry matter production.