Genetic resources of salt tolerance at germination and the seedling stage in wheat

Abstract

About 1,300 wheat varieties were tested for salt tolerance at germination and the seedling stage. Salt tolerance at these two stages showed wide and continuous variations among the wheat varieties tested, and some highly salt tolerant varieties were selected. The varieties from Korea included tolerant varieties at a high proportion at either stage. Hexaploid (AABBDD) varieties were more tolerant than tetraploid (AABB) and diploid (AA) varieties at either stage, indicating that genetic factor (s) controlling salt tolerance may be located on the D genome. As well as barley varieties, salt tolerance at germination of wheat was considered to be independent of that at the seedling stage.