Evaluation of salinity tolerance in advanced lines of wheat in germination stage and seedling growth

In order to investigation of different levels of salinity stress effects on germination, vegetative and some germination indices an experiment was performed in factorial form using a completely randomized design with 3 replications at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute Karaj. First factor encompass 20 genotypes (including narin, Ofough and Arg varieties as checks) and second factor four levels of salinity treatment (0 ,8, 12 and 16 ds/m), were used. Traits germination percent, germination rate, radicle length, plumule length, seedling length, plumule /radicle length ratio,dry weight of radicle , dry weight of seedling, plumule /radicle dry weight ratio, germination uniformity ,seed vigor index and salinity tolerance index (TI) were studied. Results analysis of variance showed that between genotypes, salinity stress and their interaction for all traits had significant difference. The most and the least of TI was belonged to genotype no.10 (Ti=83.13%) and genotype no 8 (Ti=54.82%) respectively. Salinity tolerance index (TI) had positive and significant correlation with germination percent, germination rate, plumule length, dry weight of seedling, plumule /radicle dry weight ratio and seed vigor index. Based on cluster analysis genotypes were divided into 3 different groups. Finally based on salinity tolerance index and all of germination traits, and results of cluster analysis, genotypes no 5,20, 10 and 14 were determined as the most tolerant genotypes and better than checks cultivars, that can be recommended to using of this genotypes for future breeding programs tolerance to salinity stress, and genotypes No. 8, 11 and 17 as the most susceptible genotypes.