Investigating physiological and biochemical

3.4.2. Materials and methods 
3.4.2.1 Plant material, growth and treatment conditions 
 
A pot experiment was conducted in the rain protected wire house of Institute of 
Soil and Environmental Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 
October-November 2011. The healthy and uniform seeds of four linseed genotypes 
(Linum uistatissimum L) identified as salt sensitive (S-907 and C-9-3-115) and salt 
tolerant (637-72 and NO-303) in previous experiment of screening were sown at the 
depth of 2 cm in glazed earthen pots having well pulverized 12 kg soil. The 
recommended doses of fertilizers (90 kg N + 30 kg P + 30 kg K ha
-1
)
were applied. 
The sources for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were urea, DAP and SOP 
respectively. Full dose of phosphorus and potassium and half dose of nitrogen were 
applied at the time of sowing while remaining half nitrogen was applied at vegetative 
stage. The required salinity levels (control, 100 mM NaCl, 200 mM NaCl) in pots 
were developed by mixing required amount of NaCl in the soil before filling the pots. 
The pots were irrigated with tap water (EC = 0.88 dS m
-1
) when required.
3.4.2.2 Plant harvest 
 
Plants were harvested at maturity and subjected to sun drying after harvesting. 
Pods of linseed were threshed before shattering and/or seed dispersal.

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129 
3.4.2.3 Measurements of plant yield attributes 
 
The effect of salinity on yield attributes was studied in terms of number of 
branches plant
-1
, number of pods plant
-1
, number of seeds plant
-1
, 1000 seed weight 
and seed yield plant
-1
. Linseed genotypes at highest salinity level (200 mM NaCl) were 
unable to produce seeds, that’s why its data for yield attributes and oil contents are not 
presented here, however, data regarding number of branches plant
-1
and number of 
pods plant
-1 
was recorded. At drying, 3 plants from each replicate were randomly 
separated from others and were used for computing yield parameters. After counting 
the number of branches plant
-1
and number of pods plant
-1
, pods were crushed and 
cleaned to assess number of seeds pod
-1
. For 1000 seed weight, seeds were counted 
through seed counter and then weighed on weighing balance.