Physiological Responses of Pak Choi (Brassica rapa Subsp. Chinensis) Genotypes to Salt Tolerance

Abstract

Salinity stress poses a significant challenge to Pak Choi (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis) production. To address this limitation, we conducted an evaluation of 24 Korean native Pak Choi species to identify genotypes with resistance to salt stress. Through cluster analysis of electrolyte leakage data, we discovered 'IT262109', 'IT279432', and 'IT185735' as native accessions displaying the strongest salt tolerance. Additionally, our assessment of the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II revealed a 3.7% reduction in seaweed yield in the highly salt-tolerant system compared with the control group, while the weak salt-tolerant system experienced a substantial reduction rate of 45.7% to 49.4%. Notably, salt stress had a significant impact on Pak Choi growth, but the salt-tolerant genotype exhibited less growth reduction compared with the salt-sensitive genotype. Based on the electrolyte leakage and maximum quantum yield data, it was evident that 'IT185735' demonstrated poorer growth compared with 'IT262109' and 'IT279432'. Consequently, 'IT262109' and 'IT279432' show great potential as parent varieties for enhancing salt tolerance in Pak Choi.