A sand culture pot experiment was conducted under
naturally illuminated environmental conditions during
the rabi winter. Healthy seeds of two genotypes of
mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss.) cv.
Chuutki (salt-sensitive) and cv. Radha (salt-tolerant)
were selected for the study. These genotypes were
emanated on the basis of results of our earlier experiment
(Siddiqui et al. 2009). The earthen pots of 30
cm diameter, lined with polythene bags (to avoid
contamination), were filled with sand. Before filling
the pots the sand was washed with acid, followed by
tap and distilled water. The pots were arranged in a
simple randomized design with a single factor and 4
replicates. Before sowing, seeds were surface sterilized
with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 min,
then vigorously rinsed with double distilled water
(DDW) and sown in sand filled pots supplied with
Raukura’s nutrient solution. After 2 weeks of sowing,
thinning was done and three healthy plants of uniform
size were maintained in each pot. When the plants
were at the stage of 2-3 true leaves, NaCl solution
was added to the pots with experimental Brassica plants
to attain the final concentration. A half dose of N was
applied basally at the time of sowing, and the remaining
half dose was given as a spray treatment after 1
week of NaCl treatment. The experimental pots were
irrigated daily with DDW (100-200 mL) to keep the
sand moist. The treatments were given as follows: (i)
0 mmol L-1 NaCl + 0 mg N kg-1 sand (NaCl0+ N0,
control), (ii) 90 mmol L-1 NaCl + 30 mg N kg-1 sand
(NaCl90+ N30), (iii) 90 mmol L-1 NaCl + 60 mg N kg-1