Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2020)

Millets are small seeded cereal crops which face several abiotic constraints that lead to reduction in the yield. Salinity is considered to be the most important abiotic stress that limits the crop production. The current study deals with the impact of NaCl stress on growth and development of Panicum sumatrense (Little millet). The seeds were raised at different concentration of NaCl (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mM) for 30 days. Under saline stress, morphological changes, pigments and biochemical levels determined to analyze the physiological and biochemical characteristics. In addition, there was a progressive increase in the levels of proline, glycine betaine, MDA and H2O2 activity from 0 to 20 Mm. statistically, there was a decrease in photosynthetic pigments, amino acid and starch with reduced leaf succulence under increasing salinity. Salt stress greatly influenced a significant reduction in the leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves and roots. From this study, little millet crops can be sustained at 5Mm salinity condition. It was concluded that these osmolytes play a key role in generating tolerance against salt stress.