Adaptations in Response to Salinity in Safflower Cv. Bhima

Effect of increasing levels of NaCl and Na2SO4 on mineral content in various organs of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cv. Bhima was investigated at flowering. Results revealed that Dry Matter (DM) per plant decreased with increasing levels of NaCl. DM increased at low levels and decreased at all higher levels of Na2SO4 at flowering and maturity. Plants completed life cycle upto ECe 7.5 mS cm-1 of chloride and ECe 10.0 mS cm-1 of sulphate salinity. Plants tolerate all levels of chloride and higher levels of sulphate salinity by storing toxic minerals in roots and basal part of stem and by translocating essential elements to the leaves indicating presence of regulatory mechanism at the junction of root and stem; within the stem and in between the stem and leaves in safflower.