Multidimensional screening and evaluation of morpho‐physiological indices for salinity stress tolerance in wheat

Soil salinity is one of the major constraints to crop production worldwide. The multifaceted nature tolerance traits complicates plant screening and identification salt-tolerant germplasm be used for genetic advancement corps. Many criteria have been suggested distinguish between genotypes. Most these were applied under controlled environmental conditions limited developmental stage plants. As a result, most reported could not validated field conditions. This study employed membership function value (MFV) assess NaCl eight wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes measured at germination, vegetative reproductive stages, as an integrative tool overall performance. Salt stresses had adverse effect on physiological (residual transpiration, stomatal density, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics; leaf N, Na+ K+ content) agronomical (plant height; biomass; root tiller number; grain) characteristics. Based this assessment, plants divided into three contrasting groups: salt tolerant, moderately tolerant sensitive. Although did show same degree in glasshouse experiments, variety Yu-07 showed consistently better performance all trials, whilst Aus19720 was sensitive experiments. These potential further studies uncover mechanisms governing stress response wheat.