EFFECT OF SALINITY (NaCl) ON GERMINATION, SEEDLING GROWTH AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE OF DIFFERENT TRITICALE GENOTYPES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine effects of salinity applications on emergence rate, salt tolerance index and nutritient uptake in Triticale. Triticale cultivar Karma-2000 and 5 Triticale genotypes (4, 20, 23, 27 and 43) were used as experimental materials. The study was conducted to observe effects of different salt concentrations (EC value: 3.9, 6.1, 8.3, 10.5, 14.9, 19.3, 25.0 dSm-1 ) on emergence rate, dry weights of green parts/roots, salt tolerance index, mineral elements (N, P, K, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Mg, Zn and Cu) and proline. As salt concentration increased; emergence rate, shoot and root length, dry weights of green parts and roots, and the mineral content of both roots and leaves decreased considerably. On the other hand, proline content increased when higher salt concentrations used. Genotypes differed to their reactions to different salt concentrations. Among the genotypes, the least amount of proline content was found in Karma-2000 and the highest proline content was found in genotypes 27 and 43. According to salt tolerance index results, genotype 27 was resistant and genotypes 20 and 43 were tolerant to salt stress.