Effects of Salt Stress on Mustard as Affected by Gibberellic Acid Application

The effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth, physiology and yield of salt-stressed mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss) cv. Varuna plants were studied. The stress imposed by 25 or 50 mM NaCl reduced substantially leaf area, dry mass, leaf chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate 50 days after emergence. At harvest, although other yield components were generally reduced, total seed protein content showed a significant increase. Furthermore, the response was more pronounced at the higher concentration NaCl (50 mM) applied. On the contrary, the application of 10-5 M GA3 appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity stress on the overall performance and productivity of mustard.