Response of Soybean Genotypes to Salinity stress

170 soybean genotypes were screened against salinity stress at 150 mM NaCl solution at the vegetative stage. 13 accessions had high shoot biomass (> 80 %) under salinity stress, while 38 had low shoot biomass (< 40 %). 36 genotypes had relative shoot dry matter in the range of 60-80 %, while 83 genotypes had 40-60 %. The effects of NaCl on dry matter production and different mineral ions accumulation pattern in various plant organs of two soybean genotypes, viz. AGS 313 (tolerant) and Shohag (susceptible) were assessed with 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl at 15, 30, 45, 60 DAT and harvesting stage. AGS 313 showed greater salt tolerance while Shohag was susceptible in terms of both growth and yield performance. Higher salt tolerance in AGS 313 was associated with better water relations, salt dilution by succulence, and better osmotic adjustment with accumulation of higher amount of amino acid, sugar and proline. Furthermore, less damaged chlorophylls, higher photosynthetic efficiency and cell membrane stability as well as higher calcium content contributed to the higher salt tolerance in AGS 313 than that in Shohag.