Salt stress effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and leaf ion concentrations

Abstract

Crops growing in salt-affected soils may suffer from physiological drought<br />stress, ion toxicity, and mineral deficiency which then lead to reduced growth and<br />productivity. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of different<br />salinity levels, i.e. ECe=3 dS m-1 (control), 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1 on wheat grain<br />yield, yield components and leaf ion uptake. Desired salinity levels were obtained<br />by mixing adequate NaCl before filling the pots. Soil water was maintained at 70%<br />of available water holding capacity. Results revealed that Kouhdasht and Tajan<br />showed highest and lowest grain yield and yield compomnents as compared to<br />others. Leaf Na+ and Cl- concentrations of all genotypes increased significantly<br />with increasing soil salinity, with the highest concentrations in Tajan, followed by<br />Rasoul, Atrak and Kouhdasht. Highest leaf K+ concentration and K+: Na+ ratio<br />were observed in Kouhdasht, followed by Atrak, Rasoul and Tajan, respectively.<br />Based on higher grain yield production, higher leaf K+ concentration, K+: Na+ ratio<br />and lower leaf Na+ and Cl- concentrations, Kouhdasht and Atrak were identified as<br />the most salt-tolerant genotypes.