1993 Volume 62 Issue 3 Pages 419-428
The effect of salinity, 0 and 50 mM NaCl solution, and air temperature, 20/15 ±3°C (day/night) as a low and 30/25 ±3°C (day/night) as a high, on growth, yield, mineral ion concentrations and physiological characteristics in hexaploid triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) was analyzed employing two cultivars, Welsh and Currency. Salinity affected growth and yield more markedly at the high temperature than at low temperature. Currency showed relatively higher salt-tolerance in grain yield than Welsh at high temperature, while at low temperature, the position was reversed. The combined effect of salinity and high temperature decreased seriously the number of fertile spikes and grains per plant compared to other treatments. Osmotic potential was lowered by salinity and the lowest value was observed at high temperature. Stomatal resistance was increased and transpiration rate was decreased by salinity. The resistance was lower and transpiration was higher at high temperature than at low temperature irrespective of saline or non-saline irrigation. Photosynthetic rate was lowered by salinity at both levels of temperature, and the lowest rate was observed at high tmperature. Salinity increased Cl- and Na+ concentrations in the leaves and the increment was great at the high temperature. Salinity decreased the concentrations of K+ in Welsh, while increased in Currency irrespective of temperature levels. Concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ were decreased by salinity at both levels of temperature.
