THE INFLUENCE OF HIGH NATRIUM AND CHLORINE ION CONCENTRATION ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF VARIOUS SPRING BARLEY VARIETIES

Abstract

The effect of salinity on physiological processes of spring barley was monitored in varieties Amulet, Jersey, Krona, Malz, Norimberk and Valticky. The plants were grown under controlled light and temperature conditions in an air-conditioned chamber as a hydroponic culture in Knop’s nutrient solution. The conditions of salinity in the nutrient solution were induced by NaCl at concentration levels of 0.06M, 0.15M and 0.25M. After 5-day exposure to the stress conditions, the physiological characteristics of the plants were measured at the stage of a fully developed 3rd leaf. The content of Na+ increased and at the same time, the K+ content in the leaves decreased in all the varieties. Also, depression in the growth of leaves occurred in all the examined varieties. The highest capability of osmotic adaptation was identified in the Norimberk, Malz and Jersey varieties. With respect to water use efficiency, the Amulet, Malz and Krona varieties demonstrated better water management under the salinity conditions than other varieties. With respect to changes in the growth of leaves and roots, the growth of leaves in the Amulet and Malz varieties was more inhibited by salinity than the growth of roots. In the other varieties, the response was the opposite.