Ten diploid banana genotypes (Musa spp.) were evaluated with regard to salt tolerance, abiotic stress which limits the productivity of the crop. The plants were grown during 21 days, in a nutrient solution with and without the addition of NaCl (0 and 100 mol m-3). Growth variables including leaf area, fresh and dry biomass, biomass allocation and growth rate were analysed. The experiment was implemented in a completely randomized design in factorial (10 x 2) arrangement and three replicates per treatment. Salinity caused in most genotypes reductions in almost all variables. Genotype Lidi stood out by having better adaptation to saline stress in all measured biometric variables with the ability to maintain, under stress, the fresh and dry biomass (leaf blade, stem, pseudostem + root), leaf area, and absolute growth rate among others. The relative production of dry biomass of shoots was more than 70%, characterizing this as a tolerant genotype and promising to be integrated into breeding programs. Genotypes Ouro and Tungia, in turn, showed reduction of absolute growth rate and relative dry biomass production (less than 50%) were characterized as sensitive to salinity.
Musa spp.; leaf area; dry biomass; growth rate
