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

Abstract

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

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