<p>The differential salt-stress responses of two turnip cultivars Haihe1 and Haihe2 seedlings were studied. Haihe2 exhibited higher salt sensitivity, characterized by severely inhibited growth under NaCl treatment. In contrast, the growth of Haihe1 initially increased, peaking at 100 mM NaCl, before decreasing with higher NaCl concentration. Analysis revealed that Na⁺ contents in both roots and leaves of two cultivars gradually increased with increasing NaCl concentration, while K⁺ content decreased. Comparative assays indicated that Na⁺ efflux rates at roots of Haihe1 were faster, while K⁺ efflux rates were slower compared to Haihe2. Consequently, Haihe1 accumulated comparatively lesser Na⁺ and retained more K⁺ under salt stress. Furthermore, upregulation of <i>BrSOS1</i> and <i>BrHKT1;1</i> expressions in Haihe1 roots, in contrast to significant inhibition in Haihe2, was observed under salt stress. The soluble sugar content in the leaves of both turnip cultivars slightly decreased with higher NaCl concentration. Nonetheless, Haihe1 exhibited much higher soluble sugar levels than Haihe2. Interestingly, salt stress did not affect ASA levels in Haihe2 leaves, whereas it increased in Haihe1 leaves with NaCl supplement, exceeding levels observed in Haihe2. Furthermore, while salt stress induced an increase in POD activity and MDA content in Haihe2, minimal changes were observed in Haihe1, except for a significant increase induced by 200 mM NaCl. These findings suggest that salt tolerance in turnip may be associated with more efficient maintenance of ionic homeostasis, osmotic regulation, and antioxidant capacity.</p>