Salinity effects on germination and growth of wheat

Three wheat varieties viz. Sarsabz, Khan and Mehran-89 were investigated in the laboratory and pot house to see the effects of different salinity levels on their germination, growth, yield and ion uptake. The soil used for pot experiment prior to the artificial salinization was clayey in texture, non-saline (EC=0.58 mS/m), alkaline in reaction (pH 7.9) calcareous in nature (CaCO3 = 13%) and moderate in organic matter (1.05%). The soil was then artificially salinized to different salinity levels i.e. EC 4,8 and 12 mS/cm with NaCl salt. The results of agronomic observations and plant analysis for Na+, K+ and Cl- content were subjected to statistical analysis. The laboratory observations that the seed emergence, root and shoot length, fresh and dry root and shoot weights of seedlings decreased significantly with increase in salinity stress. The varietal differences and the interaction between salinity x varieties were non- significant for the par ameters. Agronomic characters recorded in the pot experiment revealed that the yield components i.e. plant height, number of tillers per plant, number of spike lets per spike, ear head length, straw and grain yield per pot decreased significantly in all wheat cultivars with increasing salinity levels. Sarsabz performed better in terms of all yield components at maximum salinity level as compared to other cultivars. However, the varietal variability was statistically non-significant. Plant analysis showed that the uptake of Na+ and Cl- increased while the concentration of K+ and K:Na ratio decreased significantly in straw and grains with increase in salinity stress. The varietal difference and the interaction between salinity x varieties for these parameters were also found highly significant. It was concluded that cultivar Sarsabz performed better in saline conditions as compared to other cultivars. However, in normal (non-saline) soil conditions Mehran-89 may be cultivated f or better yield.