A Hydroponic Approach to Evaluate Responses of Kodomillet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) germplasm against NaCl stress

Kodo millet is one of the small grain cereals with an ability to tolerate the biotic and abiotic stresses. Soil salinity is one of the major stresses especially in arid and semi-arid regions leads to reduced yields. In our work we studied the physiological and biochemical responses of six varieties of kodo millet germplasm (IPS 145, IPS 610, IPS 351, IC 382888, IPS 583 and IC 426676) against NaCl salinity through hydroponic experiment. Germinated seeds were grown in beakers supplemented with Hoagland nutrient solution containing NaCl (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM) for about 120 hours and the data was collected for every 18 hours interval on root length, shoot length, RWC, proline, CAT and SOD. Among all the varieties IC 426676 and IPS 583 showed highest root, shoot length and RWC, whereas the lowest were observed in IPS, 145, 610, 351 and IC 382888 genotypes. With an increase in salt levels from 0 to 200 mM, the activity of proline increased when compared to their respective controls in all test varieties. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity found to be increased and the activity of CAT decreased among all the germplasms with an increase in NaCl concentration. In conclusion, IC 426676 and IPS 583 were performed well against different NaCl stress levels and can be used further under arid and semi-arid conditions.