Abstract

The research was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity on rapeseed. Furthermore, the protein pattern of genotypes was investigated to support the greenhouse evaluation. Twelve genotypes of rapeseed were treated with zero, 175 and 350 mM of NaCl in hydroponic culture system. Protein pattern of the genotypes were visualized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) method. Most of the traits were significantly influenced by salinity. Cluster analysis identified Hyola308 and RGS003 as the most tolerant genotypes. Wild cat, Option500, Cracker, SW500, Comet and Olga are clustered together as salinity susceptible group. Twenty five reproducible bands were identified by SDS-PAGE in which fourteen were polymorphic. These results indicate a valuable genetic variability between the genotypes. Accumulation of K_­­­­­­⁺ in shoot instead of proline might be a way in which the genotypes perform osmotic adjustment under salinity. By identification of contrasting genotypes, molecular dissection of salinity stress by genomics/proteomics approaches would be amenable in details.

Key words: Brassica napus, cluster analysis, physiological characteristics, proline, salt stress, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).