Effect of different NaCl levels in nutrient solution on the Pennisetum spp. genotypes

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of three NaCl levels in nutrient solution on initial development and regrowth of nine Pennisetum spp. genotypes. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions, using a completely randomized design, distributed in a 9 × 3 factorial arrangement [nine Pennisetum spp. genotypes (Cameroon, ‘Mercker México’, Mott, ‘Elefante B’, Taiwan 2.37, Taiwan 227, Taiwan 2.114, IRI 381, and the interspecific hybrid HV 241) and three NaCl levels (0, 60 and 100 mM)], with four replications. Traits associated with plant growth at 30, 60 and 90 days after planting (DAP) were evaluated. The results indicate a significant effect (P<0.05) of treatments on the vegetative traits in the initial stages development and regrowth, detaching decrease in tillers number, leaf and stem dry mass at 60 DAP; decrease in total mass (TM, leaf + stem) from 18.41 to 3.11 g, root mass (RM) from 6.52 to 0.38 g, and TM/RM ratio on the average of genotypes at 90 DAP. However, this reduction is lower for the Cameroon cultivar, showing to be a salt-tolerant cultivar.