African Journal of Plant Breeding

ISSN 2375-074X

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN: 2375-074X Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of different NaCl levels in nutrient solution on the Pennisetum spp. genotypes

M. Cavalcante1*, B. L. Viana1, L. A. D. S. Costa1, E. Bezerra, Neto2, J. C. B. Dubeux Júnior1 and M. A. Lira1

1Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil.

2Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife/PE, Brazil.

Accepted 30 March, 2022

Abstract

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of three NaCl levels in nutrient solution on initial development and regrowth of nine Pennisetum spp. genotypes. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions, using a completely randomized design, distributed in a 9 × 3 factorial arrangement [nine Pennisetum spp. genotypes (Cameroon, ‘Mercker México’, Mott, ‘Elefante B’, Taiwan 2.37, Taiwan 227, Taiwan 2.114, IRI 381, and the interspecific hybrid HV 241) and three NaCl levels (0, 60 and 100 mM)], with four replications. Traits associated with plant growth at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting (DAP) were evaluated. The results indicate a significant effect (P<0.05) of treatments on the vegetative traits in the initial stages development and regrowth, detaching decrease in tillers number, leaf and stem dry mass at 60 DAP; decrease in total mass (TM, leaf + stem) from 18.41 to 3.11 g, root mass (RM) from 6.52 to 0.38 g, and TM/RM ratio on the average of genotypes at 90 DAP. However, this reduction is lower for the Cameroon cultivar, showing to be a salt-tolerant cultivar.

Key words: Electrical conductivity, interspecific hybrid, Pennisetum purpureum, saline stress.