UTILIZATION OF INTRASPECIFIC AND ALIEN GENETIC VARIATION FOR INDUCING AND ENHANCING SALT TOLERANCE OF BREAD WHEAT

Abstract

Screening of wheat (Triticwn aestivwn) and alien genetic material belonging to tribe Triticeae has helped in identifying cvs/lines suited for saline lands. These are being maintained for use in future breeding programmes. Promising eve / 1 ines of wheat ( Tri t: i.c uto 1:.?f::-.sd i vum) from the above study were used in a treatment trial involving soil amendments with N,P-FertilizersJ Farm Yard Manure and/or Gypsum. Here salinity reduced germination and grouth of all the cultivars but Sarsabz and M-283 showed slight superiority over the other cvs/lines under test. The later has recently been released as a new variety: Kiran-95 for the Sindh province. Irrespective of cultivars, Gypsum application gave higher yields followed by enhanced N+P and Farm Yard Manure. The soil amendments did not help in ameliorating the soil which rather deteriorate? further during the course of experiment. Some studies were also initiated on the use of irradiation to induce chromosomal translocations and on hybridization of salt tolerant with commercial cultivars but these are at a preliminary stage and will be continued under the regular programme of wheat b?eeding at this·Centre.