In vitro screening for the effect of sea water salinity stress on growth and biochemical characteristics of wheat Triticum aestivum L.

This study examines the effect of increasing salinity levels (0, 6000, and 9000 ppm. sea salt) on growth and biochemical characteristics of callus and regenerates of three Egyptian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars. Sakha 8 (salinity tolerant) and Lines # 25, 28 (salinity sensitive) were selected from 16 wheat genotypes screened for germination under 6 salinity levels (0.0, 6000, 9000, 10000, 11000, 12000 ppm.). The three genotypes were examined in vivo for salinity tolerance in three replicates under three sea water levels (0.0, 6000, 9000 ppm.) in pots in the greenhouse. Immature embryos of the three genotypes were cultured on MS media containing sea salt (control, 6000, 9000 ppm.). The calluses produced from the three salinity levels were regenerated on MS media containing the same three levels of sea salt. The salt stress index, fresh weight, total nitrogen, and K/Na ratio were determined for the calluses. The results indicated that salt stress index of calluses and regenerated plants decreased with increasing salinity levels. Total nitrogen, K/Na ratio in calluses, and green matter of plantlets increased with increasing sea salt concentration, where Sakha 8 was the highest.