Indian Journal of Agricultural Biochemistry

Present study was carried out to evaluate the response of different genotypes of wheat to salinity in petriplates and thereby screen out the highly tolerant and highly susceptible genotypes. The impact of salt stress under salinity levels (80 and 160 mM NaCl) on ten wheat genotypes differing in degree of salt tolerance viz., KRL-213, KRL-210, KRL-1-4, KRL-19, GW173, GW-190, GW-273, GW-322, GW-496 and HD-2932 marked a tremendous change in various biochemical constituents. The data recorded at 12 DAG (Days after germination) showed that different levels of salinity significantly brought a reduction of the soluble protein content even in tolerant genotypes. On the other hand, NaCl stress induced the accumulation of proline and also enhanced significantly the accumulation of MDA content which led to lipid peroxidation. In pot study, SOD (Superoxide dismutase) and CAT (Catalase) enzyme activities were studied at CRI (Crown root initiation) stage in highly tolerant and highly susceptible genotypes. SOD and CAT activities were increased with the increase in salinity levels in tolerant genotype. The information obtained can be used to consider soluble protein content and proline to screen out tolerant and susceptible genotypes under salinity stress condition and also the importance of interactions of osmolytes and antioxidants in determining the salt tolerance for a better yield of the crop.