Chlorophyll Content Evolution of Wheat Triticum aestivum L. var. Alex under Different Salinity Doses

Abstract

Salinity stress has effects on plants as harmful as those caused by drought. This research aim was to evaluate the changes in wheat total chlorophyll content estimation under salinity stress. The experiment was set up on October 15, 2022, by sowing wheat seeds var. Alex in field conditions, in mezo-phyto-cosmos, under six treatments, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl. The total chlorophyll content estimation of leaves, flag leaves, and spikes was measured with a chlorophyll meter. The assessments were taken periodically for leaf greenness during in (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) BBCH 11, 14, 51 and at the end of the experiment for flag leaves and spikes greenness. The highest values for leaves total chlorophyll were registered at all treatments except 75 mM NaCl at the fourth evaluation. For flag leaves chlorophyll content, measured at the end of the experiment, the highest value was registered in the control treatment, significantly higher compared to the 15, 45, 60, and 75 mM NaCl by 38%, 86%, 88%, and 91%. The spike chlorophyll content showed no significant differences between all the treatments. Higher doses of saline treatment significantly affect the leaves chlorophyll content, decrease the flag leaf, and spike greenness.