Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Salt Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at the Heading Stage

The effect of soil salinity on the morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters in early heading stage was studied in two varieties of wheat, Ashtar and Salama, under three concentrations (50, 75 and 100 mM) of NaCl. Salinity stress has increased relative water content, chl ‘a’ and ‘b’ contents, membrane stability index, Na+ content and dry weight of aerial part. However, salt treatment has caused a decrease in plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and specific leaf area, fresh and dry weight of roots, K+ content of roots and K+ /Na+ ratio. The results have showed a better salinity tolerance of the variety Achtar. This tolerance was manifested by the smallest decline in the shoot and root biomass.