The effect of NaCl on some physiological and biochemical parameters in Triticum aestivum L. genotypes

Effects of salinity caused by different concentrations of NaCl (100 and 200 mM) have been studied in two genotypes of Triticum aestivum L. (salt tolerant Saratovskaya-29 and salt sensitive Gyrmyzygul-1) with contrasting salt tolerance. Stress caused by salinity influenced differently on the content of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) in 14 to 16-day-old seedlings. In plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl an increase in quantity of photosynthetic pigments was observed in leaves, while 200 mM concentration of NaCl caused a reduction of the pigment content in leaves. A slightly higher amount of photosynthetic pigments were observed in the salt tolerant genotype Saratovskaya-29 at 200 mM NaCl. Lipid peroxidation level was higher in the sensitive Gyrmyzygul-1 genotype compared with tolerant Saratovskaya-29. It was found that, salinity stress caused an accumulation of soluble sugars and secondary metabolites—phenolic compounds. The amounts of soluble sugars and phenolic compounds were high in the salt sensitive genotype exposed to salt stress.