Root Growth and Architecture Responses of Bread Wheat Cultivars to Salinity Stress

Abstract

The screening of genotypes that perform better in saline soils is important for food security as the arable land affected by this problem is increasing. To mimic the conditions found in saline fields, a saline soil‐based screening method was developed to distinguish genetic diversity in root growth responses and shoot growth rates of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, namely Roshan, Bam, Tabbasi, Mahooti, Shiraz, Qods, Falat, and Atrak. Soil‐filled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes perfused with 50 to 200 mM NaCl and a standard nutrient solution was employed. A constant salt concentration was maintained throughout the soil profile in the PVC tubes. Genetic variation in root growth and leaf Na+ concentrations was observed between cultivars in response to salinity. Salinity decreased the relative growth rate, seminal and total root length, and the distance between root tip and the first lateral root but increased total branch roots. For most traits, the growth reductions due to salinity were higher in salt‐sensitive compared with salt‐tolerant cultivars. The seminal root length was reduced more than branch root length in all cultivars. Roshan and Tabbasi were identified as the most tolerant to salinity due to their longer seminal axile roots, shorter distance from the tip, higher distal branch root numbers, and higher branch root length compared to the other cultivars. A positive relationship between genetic variations in root growth response and relative growth rate indicates that root growth might be the key factor driving shoot growth and can be used as a criterion for screening salinity tolerance. Core Ideas Genetic variation was found in root growth traits and shoot growth rate in response to soil salinity. Salinity reduced shoot growth rate, seminal and total root length, but increased branch root length. A positive relationship was found between root growth response and shoot growth rate.

Biochar improved sorghum germination and seedling growth under salinity stress

“…Salinity stress is one of the critical determinants limiting crop production (Ali et al., 2019; Ibrahim et al., 2018; Rahnama, Fakhri, & Meskarbashee, 2019), and it is expected that 50% of the world's arable area will be affected by salinity by 2050 (Machado & Serralheiro, 2017). Salinity stress affects crop growth by osmotic stress and/or specific ion toxicities.…”

Effect of Sodium Chloride Stress on the Adaptation of Zea mays Seedlings at the Expense of Growth

“…This concluded that aerial application of the salt had triggered the growth of the root. Plants driving for water due to salinity stress have an elongated and dense root system (Rahnama et al, 2019). Therefore, we can deduce that at a moderate concentration of salt, the maize plant enhanced its root system at the expense of the shoot system (Ma et al, 2021).…”

Seeds priming with ß-aminobutyric acid alleviated salinity stress of chickpea at germination and early seedling growth

“…Salinity is one of the main environmental factors that lead to the degeneration of agricultural land and a decrease in crop productivity worldwide (Ali et al, 2018;Rahnama et al, 2019), especially in arid and semi-arid areas. It is expected that by 2050 salinity will affect 50% of the world's arable areas (Machado and Serralheiro, 2017).…”

“…It is expected that by 2050 salinity will affect 50% of the world's arable areas (Machado and Serralheiro, 2017). The effect of salinity in arid and semiarid areas is more serious, which influences seed germination, early growth stages and consequently crop production (Ali et al, 2018;Rahnama et al, 2019). Salinity is known to have multiple effects on plant growth through osmotic impact on plant water imbibition and/or specific ion toxicities (Hirich et al, 2014).…”