Expression of Tolerance of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Cl− and SO2−4 Ions and Sea Water in the Amphiploid of Triticum aestivum ✕ Elytrigia elongata1

Abstract

While wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is moderately tolerant of saline stress, related Elytrigia elongata (Host) Nevski (= Agropyron elongatum Host) is highly tolerant. To determine if salt tolerance of E. elongata can be transferred to wheat, the tolerance of an amphiploid T. aestivum ‘Chinese Spring’ ✕ E. elongata and Chinese Spring of NaCl, KCl, K2SO4, MgSO4, and marine salt was assessed. Seedlings of both genotypes were acclimated by progressively increasing the concentrations of salt in hydroponic tanks until 14.6 g/L NaCl; 18.5 g/L KC1; 18.3 g/L MgSO4; 6.5, 13.2, and 26.1 g/L K2SO4; and 18.0 and 36.0 g/L marine salt were reached. Plants were then maintained in the tanks for their entire life span and their survival, production of dry matter, and seed yield were determined. The amphiploid was more tolerant than Chinese Spring to every salt tested. It outyielded Chinese Spring in dry matter per plant, in seed yield, or in both at 14.6 g/L NaCl, 18.5 g/L KC1, 18.3 g/L MgCO4, 6.5 g/L K2SO4, and 18.0 g/L marine salt.