Effect of salinity stress on seed germination and antioxidant activity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes

The response of four cultivars of wheat (cultivars Tajan, Marvdasht, Kavir and Tabas, SPCRI, Karaj, Iran) to NaCl salinity at germination and early seedling growth stage was recorded. Salinity treatments measuring 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS/m were achieved by adding NaCl in demonized water. All experiments were carried out under a dual factorial (cultivar x salinity level) completely randomized design at four replications. Results showed that salt stress decreased seedling length and seedling fresh weight but increased seedling MDA and carbohydrate and peroxidase (POD) activity. Among the cultivars under investigation cultivar Marvdasht appeared to be more sensitive at germination stage. Cultivars Tabas and Kavir seemed to be salt tolerant wheat cultivars since they showed the highest seedling fresh weight, highest POD activity and the lowest MDA concentration at 12 dS/m level compared to Marvdasht cultivar.