Effect of Salinity on Growth of Some Cultivars of Sorghum in Nigerian Sudan Savannah Region

This research work was carried out to determine the effect of different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) on the growth performance of three cultivars of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) viz., SAMSORG 46 (Zabuwa), SAMSORG 45 (Deco) and Farfara. Nursery experiment was conducted at Botanical Garden of the Department of Biological Sciences Federal University Dutse (FUD). The experiment was laid in completely randomized block design, which had three replicates. Treatment employed consist of different concentrations of NaCl, with electric conductivity (EC) of 1.0 dsm-1, 2.0 dsm-1, 3.0 dsm-1, 4.0 dsm-1, and 5.0 dsm-1, in addition to 0.0 dsm-1, which served as control. Growth parameters assessed were Plant height, Number of branches, Fresh Weight and Dry Weight. The data collected was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result revealed that salinity different concentrations growth parameters by suppressing growth and development at times. Poor growth was showed in Deco cultivars in both plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight, by the time salinity exceeds 5 dsm-1 might perish. Thus, there was no significant interactions in most of the characters studied. The Study concludes that high concentrations of salt has effect on the plant growth, though the effect and the different variety differs, as such screening exercise in respect of salinity tolerance of other cultivars and for optimum vegetative growth and yield. Thus, further studies should be carries out on the cytology characteristics of the Sorghum cultivars.