Assesment of Growth and Productivity of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) Genotypes Under Salt Stress Regime

Abstract

The potential of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes for salt tolerance was investigated in a pot experiment under a lath house conditions. Salt stress substantially reduced plant growth and physiological traits in cucumber plants. On other hand, increase in accumulation of organic solutes i.e., proline as well as activity of anti-oxidant enzymes like SOD, POD and CAT were also observed. However, salinity also caused ionic imbalancement in studied genotypes and lead towards high leaf sodium and chloride (Na + , Cl -) content along with a significant reduction in leaf K + and Ca + levels. On the behalf of percent increment or reduction in observed, cucumber genotypes Marketmore & Green long were found to be salt resistant, while Summer green and 20252 catagerized as salt sensitive. Tolerant genotypes effectively maintained better dry biomass and high Ca + and K + content with least Na + and Clin their leaves exposed to salt stress. Furthermore, maximum accumulation of proline contents and greater activity of antioxidants (SOD, POD and CAT) results in improved tolerance under salinity which indicate that salt tolerance induced in cucumber is greatly connected with level of organic osmolytes and antioxidant defense system.