WATER RELATIONS AND IONIC COMPOSITION IN THE SEEDLINGS OF SOME NEWLY DEVELOPED AND CANDIDATE CULTIVARS OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Influence of salt stress on water relation parameters and pattern of ion accumulation was observed in 10 spring wheat cultivars, S-24, Lasani, Fsd-2008, Saher-2006, Inqlab-91, AARI-10, P.B-18, S.H-20, M.P-65, and G.A-20 at the seedling stage. The wheat cultivars were grown under saline (150 mM) and non-saline regimes (0 mM). Salt stress markedly reduced different water relation attributes such as leaf osmotic potential (Ψw), water potential (Ψs) and turgor potential (Ψp) of the seedlings of all wheat cultivars. However, relatively less decline in leaf Ψp recorded in cvs. S-24 and G.A-20 could be attributed to their higher degree of salt tolerance. Of different ions, root and leaf K+ and Ca2+ concentrations reduced, while Na+ concentration increased in all wheat cultivars under saline regime. K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratiosin both root and leaf of all cultivars also decreased under stress conditions. However, maintenance of higher Ca2+/Na+ and K+ /Na+ ratios in cv. S-24, Inqlab-91 and G.A-20 in their roots and leaves compared to the other cultivars could also be related to their higher degree of salt tolerance. Of all wheat cultivars, S-24, Inqlab-91 and G.A-20 could be categorized as salt tolerant on the basis of water relation attributes and pattern of ion accumulation.