Stage sensitivity of wheat cultivars to short term salinity stress.

Germination and growth responses of two wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) KRL 1–4 and HD 2009 were studied under salinity stress in a pot culture experiment. The plants were salinized for 10 days with five levels 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, dS m⁻¹ using NaCl, CaCl₂ and Na₂SO₄ salts in a composition that Na:Ca and Cl:SO₄ ratios were 4:1. The germination was delayed up to 10 dS m⁻¹ and reduction in germination per cent was observed at higher levels of salinity. Growth parameters such as number of leaves, leaf area, RGR, NAR were affected adversely in both cultivars under salinity. The most severely affected parameter was NAR in both varieties and at both the stages of observation. CRI stage treated plants were affected more severely as compared to piants treated at germination. The lethal dose of salinity when plant failed to survive was observed at 15 and 20 m⁻¹in HD 2009 and KRL 1–4, respectively.