Effect of salinity stress on yield and quality parameters in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Flax is one of the oldest utilitarian plants that have been grown for fibre as well as an oilseed crop. The species has been recognized as an excellent source of micronutrients, dietary fibre, protein, vitamin B1, lignan, and essential fatty acids (EFA), namely linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. However, in spite of immense nutritional and industrial importance of the crop no work has been carried out on the effect of salinity induced by different salts on seed yield and quality traits in Linum usitatissimum. A high yielding germplasm line 'Mukta' was subjected to five concentrations (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM and 200 mM) of three salts viz. sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) for two seasons. Data were collected for seed yield along with different quality traits and a range of antioxidant enzymes. Seed yield decreased with rise in salt concentration and was minimum at 200 mM for all the salts. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid content continuously decreased with increase in salt concentration for all the salt treatments. Catalase and GST content increased with increase in salt concentration and was maximum at 200 mM.