Differential response of pea (Pisum sativum) genotypes exposed to salinity in relation to physiological and biochemical attributes

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is moderately tolerant to salinity, early vegetative stage being more sensitive salinity. In view of this, twenty pea genotypes collected from IIVR, Varanasi were screened for salt tolerance in terms physiological and biochemical traits. The experiment was conducted randomized complete block design pots filled with soil (EC 20.47 dS/m) 3 replications. Osmotic stress created irrigation water salinity ECiw6 9 dS m-1 alongwith best available (BAW) having ECiw 0.6 (control). It found that mean photosynthetic rate (Pn)decreased increasing levels all the except VRPMR-11 (12.6%), VRP-5 (16.18%) VRP-22 (16.5%) at ECiw9 dSm-1.The chlorophyll content also significantly higher VRPE-25, VRPE-100 over treatments. Fv/Fm values reduced by 12.9% dSm-1 24.19% dSm-1. indicator stress, proline accumulated many folds i.e. approximately 8 13 observed. membrane damage lipid peroxidation measured as MDA saline level followed 6 least control. Leaf K+/Na+ ratio decreased level. Among genotypes, observed VRP-22, whereas minimum VRP-343 VRPE-25. More than 80 % reduction yield VRP-6, VRPE-100, BB-29(b)-14 green, VRP-233, PC-531, VRP-12-1 VRP-7, obtained VRPE-101 (39.1%), (43.2%), Pusa Pragati (43.8%), (45.8%), VRPE-25 (48.37%) m-1. Thus on basis expressions tolerance, these characterized sensitive, or