Morpho-physiological Characteristics under Salinity Stress of Triticum aestivum L. var. Alex.

The aim of the study was to highlight morpho-physiological changes like plant height, spike characteristics and stomata features in wheat induced by salt stress. Seeds of wheat var. Alex were sown, in mezo-phyto-cosmos, in five repetitions, under six saline doses, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl. The experiment was conducted under field conditions. The assessments including plant height, arista, and spike length were taken and evaluated at the end of the experiment. Adaxial stomatal imprints have been sampled and the stomata density (number of stomata/mm2) and their size were assessed under the microscope. Wheat morphological parameters were affected by the highest salinity dose. Plant height was significantly reduced in the 60 and 75 mM NaCl doses by 16% and 20%. The spike length showed a significant reduction only in the highest saline dose treatment. Arista length registered the highest value in the 15 mM NaCl treatment with 23% more compared to the control. Stomata density reported the highest value in the 15 mM NaCl treatment, significantly higher compared to the 0 mM NaCl dose. The highest salinity doses significantly reduced plant height and spike length. Arista length and stomata density showed similar patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]