PRODUCTION OF SALT-TOLERANT WHEAT GERMPLASM THROUGH CROSSING CULTIVATED WHEAT WITH AEGILOPS CYLINDRICA .2. FIELD-EVALUATION OF SALT-TOLERANT GERMPLASM

Wheat germplasm produced through wide hybridization and three wheat varieties were compared for salt-tolerance potential under field conditions at an electrical conductivity varying between 6-10 dS/m. Comparative performance of the same material with direct sowing and transplanting and possible effects of the cultivation method on the concentration of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) was also studied. There was little difference in the yield components of the salt-tolerant wheats and lines, except for mean grain yield, which was significantly reduced in cultivated wheat varieties growing under saline fields compared with non-saline fields. Differences due to the method of cultivating plants were also nonsignificant in most cases. Two lines produced significantly higher yields under saline conditions compared with wheat variety LU-26 that was used as a salt-tolerant check. The values for K at the seedling stage and those for the K/Na ratio at seedling and heading stages were significantly higher with direct sowing compared to transplanting. The overall performance of the new germplasm under saline fields was better than that of the salt-tolerant wheat varietiy LU-26.