%0 Journal Article
%T Seed Germination Rate as a Phenotypical Marker for the Selection of NaCl Tolerant Cultivars in Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.)
%A Krishna Karajol
%A G R Naik
%J World Journal of Science and Technology
%D 2011
%I 
%X Osmotolerance in relation to salinity and drought tolerance of cultivars implies the ability to grow at larger osmolalities. Since respiration is a prerequisite for aerobic growth in all life stages and respiration is universally inhibited by osmotic pressure, the inhibition of respiration by osmotic pressure was identified to be the quantitative phenotype for osmotolerance in ecologically distinct plants. Percent germination, driven by the endogenous respiration was found to be suitable for sensitive, quantitative differentiation between varieties in Pigeon pea. Salinity tolerance during germination was evaluated for 10 varieties of Pigeon pea at 0, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, and 250 mM NaCl concentrations. Germination responses were measured as final germination percentage and mean days to 50% germination. Germination percentage was not much affected by Salinity; however it delayed germination at 250 mM in all accessions to varying degrees. The varieties with white colored seeds have showed significant good results compared to the varieties which are producing Red or Black colored seeds. Varieties with white colored seeds that germinated rapidly at 100 mM NaCl also germinated rapidly at 200 and 250 mM NaCl. At 250 mM NaCl, White varieties like WRP-1, GS-1 and TS-3 showed 50% germination before 3 days, demonstrating high genetic potential within Pigeon pea varieties for salinity tolerance during germination stage. Black tur, Asha and Bennur local accessions were found to be highly susceptible to salt stress based on their germination rate and final germination percentage.
%K Pigeon pea
%K Salinity
%K Seed germination
%K Respiration
%U http://worldjournalofscience.com/index.php/wjst/article/view/6965