Distribution of na, k and cl ions in different plant-parts of wheat varieties differing in salinity tolerance

Abstract

Abstract: Effects of salinity on mineral ions distribution in different plant- parts (grains, leaves, culm and roots) of two wheat varieties, Sonalika and Norin-61, were investigated employing sodium chloride solution at the concentrations of 0, 25 and 50 mM. Norin-61 was more salt-tolerant than Sonalika in relation to grain production. The concentrations of Na and Cl ions in different parts were increased due to salinity, with a little variation in roots. K in grains was increased significantly by the salinity while in other parts decreased remarkably. Roots of both varieties accumulated least amount of all the three ions and grains followed the roots. Contrary, leaf and culm accumulated high amount of the ions. The accumulation of Na was more or less similar in all the above ground plant parts of the two varieties except in leaf. Leaf of Sonalika accumulated remarkably higher amount of Na than that of Norin-61. The most clear difference in ion accumulation between Norin-61 and Sonalika was that the former one accumulated higher amount of K in all parts of the shoot than Sonalika. Salinity decreased the K/ Na ratio and Norin-61 always maintained a higher ratio than Sonalika in all plant parts. It is, therefore, suggested that high salt tolerance of Norin-61 compared to Sonalika was largely governed by the higher concentration of K as well as higher ratio of K/ Na in different plant-parts, and low content of Na in the leaves of that variety.