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COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOME WHEAT GENOTYPES GROWING UNDER SALINE WATER

M. A. KHAN ¹, M.U. SHIRAZI¹, MUKHTIAR ALI¹, S. MUMTAZ¹, A. SHERIN¹, AND M. Y. ASHRAF²

Abstract: Salt tolerance of sixteen wheat genotypes was studied using gravel culture technique in lysimeters. One week old wheat seedlings were exposed to salinity created with NaCl. Four salinity levels, i.e. control (1.5 dS m^-1), low saline (6.0 dS m^-1), medium saline (9.0 dS m^-1) and highly saline (12.0 dS m^-1) and three replications were maintained. Irrigation was applied as and when required with 1/4^th Hoagland nutrient solution of respective concentrations. Salinity level of each treatment was regularly monitored and maintained through out the growing period. Yield and yield components were recorded at the time of crop maturity. On the basis of less than 50% reduction in different growth variables, five genotypes viz. LU-26s, HT-45, ESW-9525, V-8319, Sarsabz were found tolerant, whereas Bhittai. Marvi, Chakwal-86, DS-17, Sussi (SD-66), Zardana were found medium tolerant, SD1200/51, Khirman, V-7012 medium sensitive and RWM-9313, SH-43 sensitive. Tolerant wheat genotypes were successful in maintaining low Na and high K uptake and high K/Na ratio.

¹Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tando Jam, Pakistan
²Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan
Corresponding Author: M. Athar Khan; atharoslo@hotmail.com