Effect of NaCl Salinity on Germination and Seedling Growth of 12 Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cultivars

Recognition of cultivars that are salt tolerance is one of main targets for planting in salinity soil. In order to evaluate the effects of salt stress on germination and seedling growth of wheat، a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 4 replications was conducted at Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture، Birjand University. Treatments included four levels of salinity (0، 4، 8 and 12 ds/m) and 12 wheat cultivars. Results showed that salt stress caused significant decrease in germination percentage، germination rate، root and shoot length and also root and shoot dry weight، but increasing salt stress، increased root/shoot ratio. Cultivars germination responses were different. Roshan Back Cross، Kavir and Roshan cultivars had highest percentage and rate germination. Since percentage and rate of germination are the most important characters of germination، therefore Roshan Back Cross، Kavir and Roshan are the best cultivars for planting in salinity soil.