Response of Three Semidwarf Mexican Wheats to Different Aeration Conditions in the Rooting Medium at a Constant Salinity Level

Abstract

AbstractThe response of three newly developed Mexican wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties, Nuri 70, Inia 66, and Siete Cerros 66, to low oxygen at constant salinity of −4 bars in the rooting medium was tested in a water culture experiment under growth chamber conditions. Oxygen concentrations in solution were maintained at 1.5, 5.2, and 7.6 ppm by bubbling gas mixtures containing 0, 12, and 21% oxygen, respectively.All varieties were affected by low oxygen at high salinity, but Inia 66 had the greatest adaptability to low oxygen concentrations in the root zone. Oxygen concentrations of 0% in the aerating gas decreased plant dry‐matter production by 50%. Plant length was not affected, but the ability to produce tillers was inhibited. This same oxygen concentration reduced transpiration by 54, 66, and 65% for Inia 66, Siete Cerros 66, and Nuri 70. Root porosities increased with each decrease in oxygen content, with Inia 66 showing the largest increase. In general, for other measured plant characteristics, no significant differences were noted between plants grown at 12% oxygen and those at 21%.