Genetic Variability of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) for Water Logging and Salinity Tolerance under in vitro and in vivo Conditions

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) genotypes acquired from diverse sources, were screened for water logging and salinity tolerance under laboratory and field conditions. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for various traits. Based on seedling vigor index, six genotypes (AL 1756, AL 1849, AH-06-7, H-2000-14, H-2003-14, ICP 5028) were found highly tolerant, 10 tolerant, 24 moderately tolerant, 12 sensitive and eight highly sensitive to water logging. In case of salinity treatment, seven genotypes (AL 1849, AH-06-7, H-2000-14, H-2001-25, H-2003-14, ICP 5028, JBP 110B) were found tolerant, 14 moderately tolerant, 17 sensitive and 22 highly sensitive. Mean values for germination percentage, seedling length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigor index were generally lower in salinity treatment than water logging treatment. Based on results of laboratory studies, 28 genotypes were screened in pot/field for tolerance to water logging and salinity and were categorized on the basis of plant survival percentage after treatments. Based on plant survival, four genotypes (AL 15, AL 1849, H-2000-14, H-02-28) were found highly tolerant, five tolerant, nine moderately tolerant, four sensitive and six were found highly sensitive in water logging treatment. In case of salinity treatment, six genotypes were found tolerant, five moderately tolerant, three sensitive and 14 were found highly sensitive. Based on higher plant survival (%) under both water logging and saline conditions, common genotypes were identified for their further use in breeding programme.