EFFECT OF SALT (NaCl) ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CARBOHYDRATES IN LEAVES OF TWO RAGI (ELEUSINE CORACANA (L.) GAERTN) VARIETIES
Salinity is one of the most widespread environmental threats to global crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Photosynthesis and carbohydrates were determined in two ragi (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) varieties (CO13 and PAIYUR-1), subjected to salt stress of different concentrations (0, 40, 80 and 120mM). Salinity was given as a basal dose and sampling was done in leaves on 30th Days. After Treatment (DAT). There was a marked variation in the photosynthetic rates and ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase activity between the two ragi varieties subjected to salt stress. Photosystem II (PSII) and sucrose phosphate synthase activities were also significantly reduced as measured by salt stressed conditions. The quantity of glucose and sucrose decreased with increasing salt stress while starch showed a reverse trend under salt-stressed conditions. The results revealed that CO-13 exhibits higher photosynthetic rates and activities of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, sucrose phosphate synthase with photochemical efficiency of PSII compared to PAIYUR-1