The response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to the consumption of zinc under salt stress

A hydroponics experiment was conducted in biology department at the Urmia University in 2012 to investigate the effect of salinity (NaCl) and zinc (Zn2) on growth, the amount of photosynthesis pigments and Na, K and Cl- content of wheat. A completely randomized design experiment with 3 salinity levels, and 1 levels of zinc was performed. The wheat seedlings (18-day-old) were cultivated in the presence of 0.5 mmol L-1 Zn2 alone or combined with 50 or 100 mmol L–1 NaCl. The results showed that, Zn2 alone induced chlorosis and inhibited growth. Increasing of NaCl level reduced the growth parameters (fresh and dry weight and length), potassium content, Kﳖ ratio and photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b and carotenoids) contents in both shoots and roots of 28-day old wheat seedlings. The Na and Cl- contents increased with increasing NaCl concentration. The combined effect of Zn2 and NaCl on accumulation of Na and Cl- was more pronounced then its on both Zn2 and NaCl alone. The results showed that Zn2 nutrition did not improve adaptation of wheat to salt stress.