Potassium induced salinity tolerance in wheat ( Triticum aestivum   L.)

Water culture experiments were conducted to study the response of ten wheat genotypes to external K application (10 mmol KCI dm^-3) at seedling stage under saline condition (0 and 100 mmol NaCl dm^-3). The data showed that there was an increase in the shoot and root length with the application of external K. The increase was more pronounced under control than under saline conditions. The better performing genotypes under two treatments were Bhitai, NIAB-41, NIAB-I076 and Khirman. The enhanced growth of these genotypes under saline condition might be due to the quick response to external K application, resulting in high K/Na ratio. The results indicated that the genotypes, which have the ability of enhanced K/Na discrimination, might perform better under saline conditions when sufficient potassium is applied in the rooting medium.