Salinity effects on yield, yield components and nutrient ions in rapeseed genotypes

Soil salinity is a major restriction to crop production in many areas of the world. Seven spring types of rapeseed genotypes were evaluated in four salinity levels of irrigation water including 0, 4, 8 and 12 dsm-1. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 3 replications was considered for evaluation of 28 treatments at green house condition. Significant mean square of salinity levels was observed for plant height, pods per plant, 1000-seed weight, seed yield, calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and sodium (Na), indicating significant differences of salinity levels for these traits. The genotypes had significant differences for all the studied traits except Ca. Significant positive correlations were detected among plant height and seed yield and other yield associated traits including number of pods per plant, 1000-seed weight and K, therefore the genotypes with high plant height in saline environment will have high seed yield and yield associated traits. The genotype L18 with high mean values of 1000-seed weight and seed yield was more tolerant to salinity than the other genotypes.