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

Abstract

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

A comprehensive approach for evaluating salinity stress tolerance in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) germplasm using membership function value

“…Germination rate, shoot and root growth, seedling weight, and water content are all qualitative traits that may not directly reflect the quantitative changes occurring in the salt tolerance of a plant and thus cannot be used as a lone parameter to determine the tolerance level. A comprehensive evaluation method of MFV was followed in several crops for comprehensive salt tolerance screening of large germplasm (Li et al, 2020, Quamruzzaman et al, 2022, Choudhary et al, 2021). The STI values indicate the tolerance level of the plant to salt stress (Fernandez, 1992).…”

Hyperspectral reflectance and agro-physiological traits for field identification of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes using the genotype by yield*trait biplot technique

“…The salt-tolerant genotype may have a minimal Na + concentration, a higher K + accumulation, a nicely maintained osmotic pressure in its roots and shoot, and maximal photosystem (PSII) activities, producing higher biomass specifically under salinity stress ( Oyiga et al., 2016 ; Quamruzzaman et al., 2022 ). Accordingly, genotype 1 possesses a higher accumulation of K + and the best rank of GY in saline soil sites in both seasons ( Tables S2 , S3 ).…”

“…Soil salinity is an abiotic stressor and is considered one of the biggest obstacles to decreasing food production globally ( Sardouie-Nasab et al., 2014 ; Tao et al., 2021 ; Quamruzzaman et al., 2022 ), impeding the breeding and releasing of cultivars ( Bailey-Serres et al., 2019 ; Reynolds and Braun, 2022 ). It impacts more than 20%–40% of irrigated land ( Ghonaim et al., 2021 ; Quamruzzaman et al., 2022 ). About 33% of the cropping area in Egypt is affected by salinity ( Stavi et al., 2021 ; Morsy et al., 2022 ).…”

“…Salinity stress negatively influences chlorophyll fluorescence ( Zarco-Tejada et al., 2003 ; Kalaji and Guo, 2008 ). On the other hand, physiological traits estimated in the laboratory that reflect a salinity-tolerant genotype include minimal Na + concentration, higher K + accumulation perfectly maintaining osmotic pressure in roots and shoots, and maximal photosystem (PSII) activities, resulting in producing higher biomass specifically under salinity stress ( Oyiga et al., 2016 ; Morsy et al., 2022 ; Quamruzzaman et al., 2022 ).…”

Effects of different shallow and saline groundwater depths on soil salinity, evapotranspiration, grain yield and spike traits of winter wheat

“…Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the world's staples and strategic food crops, with a main nutritional essential in human nutrition (Gu et al, 2021; Quamruzzaman et al, 2022; Sharma et al, 2015). FAO (2009) estimates that the world will need about 840 million tons of wheat by 2050.…”