Selection of Salt-Stress-Tolerant Genotypes during Germination, Growth, and Development in Durum Wheat (<i>Triticum turgidum</i> subsp., <i>durum</i> Desf.)

Abstract

Salinity is a serious threat to agriculture, causing the inhibition of and alterations in germination and plant growth and development. Durum wheat is highly sensitive to salinity. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to establish a screening method of wheat genotypes, under saline conditions, at the germination and plant growth stages. Our results show a very significant effect of salt stress on the different parameters evaluated in durum wheat, for all treated genotypes. The tolerance screening test during growth and development was more effective than the germination test. The chlorophyll content allowed distinguishing tolerant from sensitive genotypes.

Keywords

• salinity
• <i>Triticum durum</i>
• screening
• tolerance
• germination
• growth stage