Salt stress effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)growth and leaf ion concentrations

Crops growing in salt-affected soils may suffer from physiological drought stress, ion toxicity, and mineral deficiency which then lead to reduced growth and productivity. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of different salinity levels, i.e. ECe=3 dS m-1 (control), 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1 on wheat grain yield, yield components and leaf ion uptake. Desired salinity levels were obtained by mixing adequate NaCl before filling the pots. Soil water was maintained at 70% of available water holding capacity. Results revealed that Kouhdasht and Tajan showed highest and lowest grain yield and yield compomnents as compared to others. Leaf Na+ and Cl- concentrations of all genotypes increased significantly with increasing soil salinity, with the highest concentrations in Tajan, followed by Rasoul, Atrak and Kouhdasht. Highest leaf K+ concentration and K+: Na+ ratio were observed in Kouhdasht, followed by Atrak, Rasoul and Tajan, respectively. Based on higher grain yield production, higher leaf K+ concentration, K+: Na+ ratio and lower leaf Na+ and Cl- concentrations, Kouhdasht and Atrak were identified as the most salt-tolerant genotypes.