VARIATION IN SALT TOLERANCE AMONG SOME WHEAT AND TRITICALE GENOTYPES

The identification of genotypes having potential salt tolerance is an effective approach to solve the problems of saline soils. Seed germination and seedling establishment are limiting factors in crop production. Seven wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and one Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmak) genotypes were evaluated for salt tolerance at emergence and early seedling growth in solution culture with NaCl salinities up to 300 mM L-1 (electrical conductivity equals 27.6 dS m-1). Seedling emergence was delayed by increasing NaCl in nutrient media. At 200 mM L-1 NaCl, the emergence percentages of wheat genotypes ranged between 68.7 % and 91.3 % after 7 days and 79.3 % and 98.7 % after 15 days. While at 300 mM L-1, the emergence percentages of the wheat genotypes were 0.0 % after 7 days. After 15 days the emergence percent ranged between 24 % and 72 %. The emergence percent of the Triticale line was 88.7 after 7 days and 89.3 after 15 days at 200 mM L-1, while it was 25.3 % and 84 % after 7 and 15 days, at 300 mM L-1, respectively. Root and shoot dry weight were greatly reduced by increasing NaCl, however, the Triticale line showed less reduction in growth compared to the wheat genotypes. K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were decreased with increasing salinity levels while Na+ content was decreased in the shoot tissues of wheat and Triticale genotypes.