03. Influence of salinity on germination and early seedling of five wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most significant ecological stresses that deteriorate soil health, plant growth and development. It reduces germination and delays emergence of wheat. Under saline condition wheat stands irregular and depressed crop yield. In order to enhance wheat crop production under saline stress, it is essential to better understand genotypic variance and screening of high yielding and salt tolerant wheat genotypes. The main aim of this research work was to determine the influence of three salinity treatments viz. Control, 5-dSm¯¹ and 10-dSm¯¹on available five commercial wheat cultivars such as Sindh-81, Jauhar-78, Sarsabz, T.J-83 and Z.A. 77 under in-vitro condition. Seeds of five commercial wheat cultivars were then incubated in dark for 24hr, 48hr, 72hr and 96 hr at 22°C. The studied parameters including germination%, root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weight were also investigated. Germination was scored after ten days of seed placement. Completely randomized design with four replications was used. The obtained result showed that the germination, length of shoot and root were increased with an increase of incubation period, while decreased in response to increasing salinity level. Overall, the variety Sarsabz showed better adaptation, followed by T.J-83, Sindh-81, Jauhar-78 and Z.A. 77 for incubation period and salinity level. Therefore, it is suggested that the Sarsabz wheat cultivar can be successfully grown under ex-situ saline condition.

Keywords: Salinity; Germination; Seedling; Wheat cultivars

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2021.100099