Transcriptional changes of AOS, AOC, OMT, NHX1, and L1S1 genes in roots of barley genotypes under salinity stress

Salinity is a big problem for agriculture and crop productivity worldwide. Barley is considered notably salt-tolerant and there is considerable genetic variation in barley in response to salinity. In the present study, the expression pattern of AOS, AOC, OMT, L1S1, and NHX1 genes were investigated in the roots of three barley genotypes, Sahara3771, Clipper, and an advanced breeding line (A-line) 24 hours, 3 days, and 3 weeks after 100 and 200 mM NaCl treatments as well as control (no NaCl). Analysis of variance revealed significant salinity x genotype x salt exposure time interaction for all the studied genes, except AOC. The highest expression level of the AOC gene was noted under 200 mM NaCl in Clipper and the lowest expression was recorded under 200 mM and 100 mM NaCl in A-line and Clipper, respectively. For the AOS gene, the highest expression level was recorded 3 weeks after 200 mM NaCl treatment. The maximum expression level of NHX1 was measured in A-Line 24 hours after 100 mM NaCl treatment and the lowest in Sahara3771 3 weeks after 200 mM NaCl treatment. The OMT gene showed the highest expression in Sahara3771 3 weeks after 100 mM NaCl treatment and the lowest was observed in A-Line under 200 and 100 mM NaCl. For the LlS1 gene, the highest level of the transcripts was measured 3 weeks after 100 mM NaCl treatment. LlS1 gene showed the lowest expression level 24 hours after 200 mM NaCl in Sahara3771.