Screening the differences in the salt tolerance of four wheat cultivars using growth kinetics and spikes weight as suitable criteria

Abstract EN

A pot experiment was conducted to study further the effect of various concentrations of NaCl (0, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM, 200 mM, 250 mM and 300 mM) on growth kinetics and spikes production of four wheat cultivars brought about from three different breeding programs (Sakha 94, Gimiza 10, Gimiza 11 and Giza 168).The data of growth kinetics (Harvest index, specific leaf area and leaf area ratio) were equilibrated in the salt tolerant cultivars Sakha 94 and to some extent in Gimiza 11 and disturbed significantly in the salt sensitive cultivars Gimiza 10 and Giza 168 which lead to stimulation in the dry matter production in cv.

Sakha 94 followed by cv.

Gimiza 11 and dramatic inhibition in cv.

Gimiza 10 and cv.

Giza 168.

The differences in these variables draw the future of crop yield among the studied wheat cultivars.

Accumulation of spike dry weight was recorded in cv.

Sakha 94 (about two fold at the level of 100mM NaCl salinity) indicating that this cultivar possesses some halophytic characters.

Gimiza 11 maintained its spike dry weight especially at low and moderate salinity.

On the other hand the salt stress slows down drastically the spikes yield production in the two susceptible cultivars.