Abstract

The effects of salt stress on the level of osmolyte accumulation in two different cultivars (K-134 and JL-24) of groundnut seedlings were studied. Seeds were grown at different concentrations of NaCl stress: 50, 100 and 150 mM and their respective controls (0.0% NaCl) for nine days. Salt stress resulted in a significant modification in the level of osmolyte accumulation in the two cultivars of groundnut. The accumulation level of osmolytes such as proline, glycine betaine, soluble sugars, free amino acids and polyamines were increased significantly in both cultivars with increasing stress severity and duration when compared with their controls. However, the percent increase of osmolyte accumulation was higher in cv. K-134 and lower in cv. JL-24. The present study indicated that cv. K-134 is salt tolerant than cv. JL-24 based on osmolyte accumulation and growth parameters. The osmolyte accumulation in relation to the salt tolerance of these cultivars was discussed.

Key words: Osmolytes, salt tolerance, groundnut, cultivar.