Salinity and boron tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) varieties: A short-term hydroponic study

Abstract

High salinity in association with boron toxicity is becoming very adverse for crop production in arid to semi arid areas throughout the world. In order to investigate the effect of salinity in combination with boron toxicity on six cotton varieties, a hydroponic study was conducted in the rain protected wire house using 1/2 strength Hoagland's nutrient solution as a growth medium. One week after transplantation, different levels of salinity i.e. 70 and 140 mM were developed with NaCl. The concentration of boron (5 and 10 mM) was created using boric acid (H 3 BO 3). The plants were harvested after four weeks of salinity and boron toxicity development. The result indicated that the chlorophyll contents in variety FH-114 were less affected against combined stress condition because it accmulated less Na + and boron but acquired more K + which result into batter growth as compared to other varieties whereas NIAB-846 was found very sensitive against combined stress. The trend regarding the varietal behaviour with salinity and boron stress was FH-114 > NIAB-777 > IUB-222 > SG1-AA > FH-113 > NIAB-846 on the basis of this study; the variety FH-114 can be grown in slinity and boron stress conditions because it has potential to regulate growth by regulating Na + /K + uptake.