Salinity induced deleterious effects on biochemical and physiological processes of tomato

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of salt stress (i.e. 0,25,50,75,100 and 125 mm nacl) on two tomato genotypes rio grande (tolerant) and savera (sensitive). salinity stress was applied on tomato plants after transplanting in sand culture in plastic pots. the data was collected on water relation,gaseous exchange,biochemical and ionic contents. salinity predominantly decreased the water relation (water potential and osmotic potential),chlorophyll contents (chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll) and gaseous exchange parameters (net photosynthetic rate,transpiration rate and stomatal conductance). on the other hand,biochemical attributes (total soluble protein,total free amino acids and proline contents) and antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase) were increased in both the genotypes. sodium contents were increased in roots and leaves of both the varieties; whereas,potassium contents were decreased as salinity was applied. results depicted that genotype rio grande showed excellent performance under stress conditions while savera showed poor performance under salinity stress.