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A NEW RAPID AND SIMPLE METHOD OF SCREENING WHEAT PLANTS AT EARLY STAGE OF GROWTH FOR SALINITY TOLERANCE

ABID MAHMOOD^*

Abstract: As efficient, reproducible, economical and simple mass screening technique for the selection of salt tolerant wheat genotypes has been developed. This method is able to identify genetic variation in salinity tolerance in breeding material or in a large number of genotypes of wheat. The germinated seeds of wheat were transplanted in vermiculite filled Japanese paper pots. As the first leaf blade became fully expanded, the Japanese paper pots along with seedlings were transferred to NaCl solution. The NaCl was increased stepwise in two third seedlings, up to the desired salinity levels which were 200 or 100 mol m^-3 NaCl and one third Japanese paper pots remained only in nutrient solution as control. Two salt tolerant and two salt sensitive cultivars were included in the study. The plants were grown for 15 days in full strength nutrient solution or at desired NaCl level. The shoot weights were used as estimate of plant salinity tolerance. Shoot fresh weight (SFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), Na⁺ and K⁺ contents were measured for the assessment of salt tolerance. The validity of this technique was tested by growing the same cultivars at the same salinity levels in hydroponics or in soil filled pots. Salt tolerance of the cultivars was compared in three screening methods. Good reproducibility of the results among three screening methods authenticated the validity of the Japanese Paper Pot technique for the assessment of salinity tolerance at the early stage of plant growth in cereals.
 

Barani Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 35, Chakwal 48800, Pakistan.