Effects of NaCl salinity on some physiological characters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Two wheat varieties, Aghrani and Kanchan were grown in pots and subjected to 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl till their maturity. Water relations, chlorophyll content and mineral ions accumulation in wheat plants were analyzed. Water retention capacity and relative water content were decreased while water uptake capacity and water saturation deficit were increased with the increasing levels of salinity. Salinity increased diffusive resistance but decreased transpiration rate. Chlorophyll content was decreased due to salinity in both Aghrani and Kanchan. Accumulation of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Na+ increased while that of K+ decreased in the salt treated plants. In general, Aghrani accumulated greater amount of Mg, Ca and Na ions than that of Kanchan. It is appeared thal Aghrani possesses a better mechanism of salt tolerance than that of Kanchan.