Study of Nacl Salinity Effect on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars at Germination Stage

Abstract

Establishment of seedlings at early growth stages of crop plants as one of the most important determinants of high yield is severely affected by soil salinity. Therefore, high germination rate and vigorous early growth under salty soils is preferred.The response of five genotypes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to NaCl salinity at germination and early seedling growth was investigated. Salinity treatments (0, -2, -4, -8 and -10 bars) were achieved by adding NaCl in deionized water. There was a decrease in water up take and germination of all cultivars. Increase salt concentration also affected the early seedling growth. Among the cultivars under investigation Seimareh cultivar appeared to be more sensitive at germination stage. However, it performed quite satisfactorily at seedling stage.