WHEAT GENOTYPES DIFFERED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THEIR RESPONSE TO SILICON NUTRITION UNDER SALINITY STRESS |
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| Authors: | Mukkram A Tahir Rahmatullah Tariq Aziz M Ashraf |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Soil &2. Environmental Sciences , University College of Agriculture, Sargodha University , Sargodha, Pakistan;3. Institute of Soil &4. Environmental Sciences , University of Agriculture , Faisalabad, Pakistan;5. Institute of Soil &6. Environmental Sciences , University of Agriculture Faisalabad at Depalpur , Depalpur, Pakistan;7. Directorate of Land Reclamation , Irrigation and Power Department , Punjab, Pakistan |
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| Abstract: | We studied the growth and ionic composition of five wheat genotypes (Inqlab-91, Uqab 2002, SARC-1, SARC-3, and SARC-5) grown under salinity stress to applied silicon. Plants were grown with three levels of salinity 0, 60, and 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] in the presence of 0, 2, and 4 mM Si in nutrient solution for 40 days. Salinity stress significantly decreased shoot and root biomass in plants with varying degrees. Genotype SARC-3 exhibited higher salt tolerance than other genotypes. Silicon (Si) application significantly (P < 0.05) increased plant biomass at both control as well as under saline conditions. Genotypes differed significantly for their response to applied Si in terms of biomass production. Silicon application significantly (P < 0.01) increased potassium (K+) concentration in shoots. Enhanced salinity tolerance in wheat by Si application was attributed to increased K+ uptake thereby increasing K+/sodium (Na+) ratio and lower Na+ translocation towards shoot. |
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| Keywords: | silicon wheat salinity K:Na ratio genetic variation |
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