Abstract

The aim of this research was to characterize the biochemical behavior of sorghum plants under saline stress using multivariate statistical analysis methods for efficient management of Sorghum bicolor [Moench.]). The experimental design was completely randomized design composed of three saline concentrations (0, 1.5 and 2.0 M) in 10 replications. In the multivariate analysis (hierarchical method), there were distinct and sub-groups in the sorghum plant treatments. Group 1 consisted of the root parts and under this group there were two subgroups: 1.5 to 2.0 concentration (Group 1) and 2 concentration (Group 2). The increase of NaCl concentration in the roots and leaves has inverse correlation with decrease of nitrate reductase, amino acids, protein and starch. The amounts of amino acids, carbohydrates, sucrose and proline in the roots and carbohydrates, sucrose and proline in the leaves of sorghum plants are reliable biological indicators of saline stress conditions in the soil. The nitrate compound differed (p ≤ 0.05) in the sorghum plant roots; it had an average value of 0.04 μmol kg^-1 of nitrate in the control treatment dry matter. The nitrate average was between 0.04 and 0.06 μmol kg^-1, but without statistical difference for all concentrations.

Key words: Multivariate statistics, salt concentration, proline, carbohydrate.