TITLE:
Characterization of Water Melon (Citrullus lanatus) Genotypes under High Salinity Regime
AUTHORS:
Mujahid Ali, C. M. Ayyub, Muhammad Rashid Shaheen, Rashad Waseem Khan Qadri, Imran Khan, Muhammad Azam, Naheed Akhtar
KEYWORDS:
Citrullus lanatus, Watermelon, Salinity, NaCl, Abiotic Stress
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.6 No.19,
December
24,
2015
ABSTRACT: For horticultural crops and especially for vegetables, salinity is dilemma. It is the most limiting
factor for plant growth and development by producing reactive oxygen species and ultimately
oxidative stress. In the present study, the screening of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thanb. Mavs.)
Cultivars was observed for salt tolerance. Four salinity levels (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 dS·m-1 NaCl) and
six cultivars (Crimson, Charleston Gray, Anarkali, Chairman, Sugar Baby and Champion) tested for
screening. It was observed that all morphological attributes and ionic contents were severely affected.
But it was revealed by statistical analysis that Charleston Gray was affected least while
Champion was most salt sensitive cultivar due to oxidative stress and ionic toxicity. It is concluded
that different genotypes under consideration vary in their ability to tolerate salt stress.