Abstract
Gradient creation of external osmotic potential with NaCI reveals physiological traits of a plant species. Brassica
campestris (cv. BSA) and B. juncea (cv. BARD-1) were grown for six weeks in nutrient solution of various osmotic
concentrations (- 0.19, - 0.27, - 0.31 and - 0.42 MPa) using NaCI. Shoot and root length of B. campestris and root
length of B. juncea declined with increasing osmotic potential as compared to control. In B. juncea, ~ 0.19 MPa \lis
favored accumulation of K+ and dry mass besides maintaining higher relative water contents. Shoot of B. juncea
maintained higher concentration of Ca2
+and K+ ions than that of B. campestris at all levels of external osmotic
potential. Sodium ion was in antagonistic relation with K+, Ca2
+, P and S. In shoot of B. juncea K+ and Ca2
+ were
in synergistic relation with Na+ up to - 0.31MPa, above this, both the nutrients started to decline. Under increasing
osmotic conditions relative growth rate, leaf area ratio and relative water contents of both the species were
affected.
