Effect of Salinity Levels (NaCl) on Yield, Yield Components and Quality Content of Sesame (Sesamum Indicum L.) Cultivars

Abstract

Seeds of ten sesame cultivars (Karaj, Darab, Safiabad, Jiroft, Borazjan, Yellow-white, Felestin, Ultan, Isfahan and Abpakhsh) were sown into soil filled pots in 2008 and 2009. Pots were watered with six levels of salts (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m -1 NaCl) until full maturity. Plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of cultivars were measured. Increasing salinity caused significant reduction in plant height, root and shoot dry weight, yield and yield components, seed oil and protein contents of all cultivars. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level. Based on seed oil yield data, Safiabad and Kraj at 0.0038ds.m -1, Safiabad and Ultan at 4.89ds.m -1, Ultan, Safiabad and Darab at 8.61 salinity levels were the superior cultivars. High variability in tolerance to salinity among the tested sesame cultivars suggests that selection of more salt tolerant cultivars for planting or breeding purposes is possible. Highlights Effects of contrasting salinity levels (0.0038 (tap water as control), 4.89, 8.61, 10.5, 14.54, 17.74 ds.m -1 NaCl) on sesame cultivars were tested. Salinity reduced plant growth and yield and seed oil and protein contents. However, there were significant differences among the cultivars for measured traits for each salinity level.