Evaluation of salt tolerant bread wheat genotypes in Sudan

Salinity is the most important factor limiting wheat production in Sudan particularly in Northern States of the country. Identification of wheat genotypes tolerant to salinity is becoming one of the top priorities. In the present study, 13 wheat genotypes and three checks namely, Sakha 93, Kavir and Sistan were evaluated under non-saline and saline conditions. At both sites in the two seasons, differences among genotypes were significant for all the measured traits viz. days to 50% heading , days to 90% maturity , plant height, number of grains per spike , number of spikes m^-2 , 1000-grain weight, grain yield kg ha^-1 , biomass (kg ha^-1) and harvest index (%). Under saline conditions, the salinity stress affected all the parameters measured. Stressed plants had short stature with fewer numbers of spikes m^-2, number of grains per spike and reduced 1000-grain weight. Similarly, salinity stress hastened all the phenological characters studied and reduced grain yield, harvest index and biomass. The genotype Kauz was found to be the most suitable under salinity stress in Northern State. The genotype Kavir was moderately tolerant to salinity and suitable under non-saline conditions. Among the commercial cultivars, El-Neilain was moderately tolerant to salinity while Condor, Wadi El Neel and Sasareib were sensitive to salinity.