differential response of durum wheat genotypes to salinity A. Fercha1*, H. Gherroucha2
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Date
2013
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Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality
Abstract
Summary
This study aims to investigate the importance of accumulation of
osmoprotectants and activities of some key antioxidant enzymes in
genotypic variation (GV) observed among durum wheat genotypes
in response to increasing NaCl salinity (0-200 mmol/L) at seedling
stage. Germination and seedling growth traits of all the genotypes
were significantly decreased by salinity. Mohamed Ben Bachir, the
more salt-tolerant genotype, exhibited the lowest reduction in final
germination percentage (FGP, <18%) and seedling growth (<60%,
based on dry biomass), the lowest increase in proline (PRO) and water
soluble carbohydrates contents but the highest increase in catalase
(CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. Correlation and
principal components analysis revealed that the most important
variables distinguishing salt tolerant vs. salt non-tolerant genotypes
were root to shoot ratio (R/S, 36.1%), CAT (30.6%), APX (12.5%)
and FGP (5.74%). Although PRO and WSC could play a key role in
salt tolerance by mediating osmotic adjustment, these compounds do
not seem to be significantly involved in genotypic variation (GV) for
salinity tolerance in durum wheat.