Salt-induced changes in two canola cultivars differing in salt tolerance

Responses of 20 d-old plants of two Brassica napus L. cultivars Dunkeld and Cyclon to NaCl salinized soil [electrical conductivity 2.4 (control), 4.0, 8.0 or 12.0 dS m(-1)] were examined. The salt tolerant line Dunkeld had significantly higher fresh and dry masses of shoots, and seed yield than salt sensitive line Cyclon in all salinities. The effect of salt stress on reduction in total leaf soluble sugars was markedly greater in Dunkeld as compared to that in Cyclon. No effect of salt stress was observed on leaf soluble proteins but there was a slight increase in total free amino acids of both cultivars. Leaf proline content increased markedly in both cultivars and Dunkeld had greater proline content than Cyclon at all salinities. Salt stress had no significant effect on seed oil content and erucic acid content of seed oil, however, content of glucosinolates in the seed meal increased and Cyclon had greater content of glucosinolates than Dunkeld.