Flag Leaf Tolerance Study in Moroccan Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties Submitted to a Severe Salt Stress

Abstract

Salt stress is the most significant abiotic stress that can severely limit crop growth and productivity. This problem gets worse in the context of climate change. The Knowledge of genetic pool behavior under such environmental constraints is imperative for growing and research. Here, we tested salt stress tolerance in six barley varieties (‘Amira’, ‘Oussama’, ‘Tamellalet’, ‘Adrar’, ‘Taffa’, and ‘Laanaceur’). To this end, a set of biochemical parameters (chlorophylls, proline, sodium, potassium levels and K+/Na+ ratio) were measured. Salt constraint significantly reduced chlorophyll content and K+/Na+ but resulted in high records of proline and Na+. Our outcomes show that treatment was the main variability since it explained more than 75% in data variability followed by variety effect. Wide variabilities were found among varieties for the measured parameters. Higher proline levels and K+/Na+ were found in ‘Adrar’, ‘Tamellalet’ and ‘Taffa’. These two later varieties also displayed a higher record of K+. Lower Na+ values were recorded in ‘Laanaceur’, ‘Taffa’, and ‘Tamellalet’, indicating their relative resistance against salt stress. In contrast, ‘Oussama’ and ‘Amira’ were relatively salt-sensitive due to their higher Na+ and lowered K+/Na+ and proline content. Resistant varieties could represent a good background for breeding for barley salt tolerance.