Assessment of Inter-Cultivar Variations for Salinity Tolerance in Winter Radish ( L.) Using Photosynthetic Attributes as Effective Selection Criteria

The present study was conducted to assess the physiological and biochemical responses of winter vegetable radish (Raphanus sativus L.) to salinity stress. Salt stress markedly reduced biomass production of both radish varieties. Shoot fresh and dry weights were significantly reduced under salt stress, higher reduction was found at 120 mM NaCl as compared. Salt stress significantly reduced chlorophyll contents in both radish varieties. Higher contents of chl. a&b chl. a/b ratio was found in variety Deci White while, lower in Lal Pari under different levels of sodium chloride. Physiological parameters such as net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, sub-stomatal CO conc. and water use efficiency was decreased in 2 both radish varieties under salt stress. Out of various physiological and biochemical indicators, net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content can be used as more effective selection indicator for salinity tolerance in winter vegetable radish.