Response of some varieties of durum wheat and tef to salt stress

African Crop Science Journal, Vol. 4. No.4, pp. 423-432, 1996 Response of some varieties of durum wheat and tef to salt stress TEKALIGN MAMO, C. RICHTER and B. HEILIGATAG (Received 16 January, 1996; accepted 30 October, 1996) Code Number: CS96083 Sizes of Files: Text: 34.7K Graphics: Line drawings (gif) - 16.9K ABSTRACT Response to salinity of four varieties each of durum wheat (DZ-04-118, DZ-320, DZ-918, and Tob-2) and tef (DZ-01-354, DZ-010787, DZ-01-1445 and DZ-Cr-370) at germination and late vegetative stages was studied using four salinity levels (0, 2, 4 and 8 dSm^-1 NaCl). Results showed that genotypic differences existed in the response to salinity within both crops; germination at the maximum salt level was comparatively higher in durum wheat than in tef. Varietal differences were only significant in durum wheat. In both crops, tolerance to NaCl at germination stage was not confirmed at maturity; at the same time, all plant parameters (plant height, and shoot and root dry weights) were significantly reduced by NaCl application, especially above the 4 dSm^-1 level. Shoot and root NA contents increased while K contents decreased in response to increasing NaCl application. Among the durum wheat varieties, DZ-04-118 was the most sensitive and DZ-01-320 the most tolerant at high levels of NaCl. At the germination stage, tef variety DZ-01-1445 was the most sensitive while DZ-Cr-37 was the most tolerant. It is recommended that further studies should involve screening from large genetic populations of both crops in order to identify more salt tolerant lines that may be used in breeding activities. Key Words: Eragrostis tef, NaCl, salinity, Triticum durum RESUME Le resultat de quatre varietes du ble (DZ-04-118, DZ-918, et TOB-2). et (DZ-01-354, DZ-010787, DZ-011445 et DZ- cr 370 a la germination et les etapes vegetatives 8 dSm^-1 NaCl). Les resultats ont indique que les differences des genotypes ont existe dans le resultat a la salinite dans toutes les cultures; la germination jusqu'au niveau eleve du sol etait comparativement superieure dans le ble. Les differences des varietes etaient considerables dans le ble. Dans les deux cultures, la tolerance a la NaCl a l'etape de germination etait confirmee a la maturite; au meme moment, tous les parametres des plantes (la hauteur relative de la plante, poids relatifs de la pousse et racine de la plante) etaient considerablement reduits de l'application du NaCl, specialement au dessus du niveau de 4 dSm^-1. Les elements de la pousse et racine ont augmente pendant que les elements de k ont diminue en reaction a l'augmentation de l'application du NaCl. Parmi les varietes du ble DZ-04-118 etait la plus sensible et DZ-01-320 est la plus tolerante aux niveaux eleves du NaCl. A l'etape de la germination, les varietes Tef DZ-01-1445 etait la variete la plus sensible pendant que DZ-Cr-37 etait la plus tolerante parmi les quatre varietes. Il a ete recommande qu'en vue d'utiliser le test pour distinguer les populations genetiques em gramole quantite des cultures pour identifier les lignes les plus tolerantes qui pourront etre utilisees dans les activites de la reproduction. Mots Cles: Eragrostis tef, NaCl, salinite, Triticum durum Copyright 1996 African Crop Science Societ