Department of Agronomy, Ferdowsi University, P. O. Box: 91775-1163, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of
Iran.
Abstract: (6329 Views)
Intra-specific variations in apex development of two salt-tolerant cultivars (Cross Rowshan
11 (CR) and Kharchia-65) and one salt-sensitive cultivar (Ghods) of spring wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) grown in sand culture at selected levels of salinity (0, 100, 200, and
300 mol m-3 NaCl and CaCl2 in 5:1 molar ratio) were studied. To determine the apex
lengths and the number of spikelet primordia in the apex, the main shoot apex was dissected.
Results indicated that final spikelet number of wheat cultivars decreased with increasing
salinity. Cultivars showed different responses to a particular level of salinity.
Duration of spikelet development from double ridge to terminal spikelet, spikelet number
and apex length declined in the presence of salinity. Both shorter duration and reduced
rate of spikelet initiation were responsible for reduction in spikelet number in salt-treated
plants. Cultivar CR showed a better performance during spikelet initiation period and
produced relatively more spikelets under saline conditions than the others.
Subject:
Agronomy Received: 2010/05/15 | Accepted: 2010/05/15 | Published: 2010/05/15