A Study into the Effects of Salt Stress on Germination Components of Different Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Cultivars

In order to study the effects of different levels of salinity on germination components of wheat cultivars, a factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Experimental factors were wheat cultivars at eight levels (Saysons, Gaspard, Finkan, MV-17, Chamran, Sardari, Atila-4 and Azar-2) and six levels of salinity (0, 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl). The results indicated that salinity had significant effects on all of the traits studied (i.e., radicle length and dry weight, plumule length and dry weight, remaining seed weight after germination, seedling weight, the longest radicle and plumule, number of radicle per seed, ratio of radicle weight to plumule weight and rate, and uniformity and percentage of germination). All of these traits declined with an increase in the salinity (except the ratio of radicle weight to plumule weight, remaining seed weight after germination and seedling weight). The highest ratio of radicle weight to plumule weight, remaining seed weight after germination and seedling weight were recorded in the salinity of 200 mM NaCl. The cultivars showed significant effects on all of the traits studied (except remaining seed weight after germination and seedling weight). Chamran cultivar showed the highest number of radicle per seed, the ratio of radicle weight to plumule weight, rate and percentage of germination. The highest radicle length and the longest radicle were obtained from the Sardari cultivar while in Azar-2 cultivar it was vice versa in plumule. Atila-4 cultivar showed the highest radicle and plumule weight. It seems that compared with other cultivars, out of the cultivars studied, Chamran, Azar-2, Sardari and Atila-4 were more resistant to salinity stress. Highlights: Introduction of wheat cultivars with more tolerance to salinity conditions at germination stage. Study of eight different wheat cultivars in terms of germination indices under salinity stress conditions.