THE ROLE OF BENZYLADENINE (BA) 0N CANOLA (Brassica napus L.) PLANTS GROWlNG UNDER DIFFERENT NaCI SALINITY LEVELS

The effects of exogenously applied BA (at 50 and 100 ppm) and NaCl salinity
(at 0, 2000, 4000 and 6000 ppm) on growth, chemical constituents as well as yield
and its components in canola plants were investigated. Canola growth was reduced
significantly under NaCl salinity levels as indicated by plant height, number of
branches as well as shoot fresh and dry weights. Photosynthetic pigments also
showed a similar trend in response to salinity. On the contrary. accumulation of Na'
and Cl' ions as well as proline increased with increasing NaCl levels, while K‘
concentration was decreased. Furthermore. canola seed yield and its components
were decreased in response to NaCl salinity, as indicated by number of both
silquaefplant, seedfsiliqua and weight of 100 seeds as well as seed oil yield.
Application of BA to canola plants under normal conditions stimulated plant
growth. increased photosynthetic pigments, K’ concentration as well as yield and its
components. While accumulation of Na‘ and Cl' ions as well as proline were
decreased.
Under salinity stress, BA treatment could partially overcome the disturbance
occurred in growth. photosynthetic pigments. yield and its components as well as oil
seed yield caused by salinity stress.