Ion concentration and energy response of two wheat cultivars to salt stress

Abstract

Comprehensive understanding of physiological and biochemical principles of tolerance to salt can lead to successful breeding of crop varieties tolerant to salt stress. To examine the content of adenylate and the percentage of energy charge under saline conditions, a pot experiment was conducted using two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars; one salt tolerant (Roshan) and one sensitive to salt stress (Kavir). The experiment had two NaCl salinity treatments. The control with Electrical Conductivity (ECs) of 1 dS m−1, and salinity treatment with ECs of 16 dS m−1 (150 mM). The experimental design was a complete randomized block design with factorial arrangements and three replicates. Wheat dry matter, sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) ion concentrations, ratio of K+/Na+, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) concentrations and the percentage of energy charge were measured. Our results indicated that salt stress affected both cultivars. The salt-tolerant cultivar (Roshan) had less dry matter reduction compared to the no-salt stress (control) and its concentration of K+, K+/Na+ ratio, the concentration of ATP and ADP and energy charge were higher compared to the salt-sensitive cultivar (Kavir), reflecting its ability to tolerate salt stress condition. Kavir had higher concentration of Na+ and AMP compared to Roshan. Based on our findings, change in energy level and metabolic status due to Na+ accumulation in wheat is an effective factor on salt tolerance and plant growth.