Comparative responses to salinity in wheat genotypes differing in salt tolerance 2-cell permeability, osmotic potential and cytoplasmic viscosity

ABSTRACT

Caryopses of two Triticum estivum genotypes, differing in salt tolerance [Sakha 8, tolerant, Giza 162, sensitive], were hydroponically grown under natural environmental conditions [in the laboratory] in presence and absence of different concentrations of NaCl added to the growth medium. NaCl stress increased nonelectrolyte permeability of leaf sheath subepidermal cells in Giza 162 [sensitive], whereas no such effect of salt was found in Sakha 8 [tolerant]. Psi s of leaf sheath subepidermal cells of both cultivars was decreased with rising NaCl concentration in the external solution. At 100 mM NaCl, the decrease in psi s in Giza 162 was greater than that found in Sakha 8. Cytoplasmic viscosity of Giza 162 was decreased by NaCl addition to the growth solution, although viscosity was higher in Giza 162 than in Sakha 8 under control condition [O mM NaCl]. Cytoplasmic viscosity in Sakha 8, however, did not change by salt stress. The results confirmed and extended earlier data that cytoplasmic characteristics are different in wheat salt sensitive and tolerant genotypes, they may correlate with salt tolerance