Muhammad Javid

Physiological and genetic mechanisms of alkaline salinity tolerance in Brassica juncea

Abiotic stresses such as soil alkalinity and salinity can severely reduce crop productivity under Australian growing conditions. The ecological zones of Australia include low rainfall areas with alkaline sub-soils high in sodium (Na) and other toxic elements.

Growing oilseed on these hostile soils has become a challenge in these regions. Brassica juncea was recently established in Australia is an important alternate oilseed crop since It possesses good seedling vigor, better heat and drought tolerance and resistance to pod shattering. B. juncea has also been adapted to low rainfall and marginal soils of other regions of the world.

Several accessions have shown tolerance to the combined stresses of alkalinity and salinity. The characterisation of the physiological and biomolecular responses underpinning these tolerances will enable future strategic breeding approaches to combine these into elite lines adapted to the Australian environment.

Muhammad’s research falls into the CRC’s Program 2 research area.

Objectives:

• Use bioassays to identify the most susceptible and tolerant genotypes to the combined effects of high alkalinity and salinity from a wide selection of B. juncea germplasm
• Use tissue and organ assessment to elucidate the physiological mechanism(s) of susceptibility and tolerance to high alkalinity and salinity
• Use gene expression analysis to identify the key molecular pathways that underpin the tolerance mechanisms.

For more information, email Muhammad.