ASSESSMENT OF SALT STRESS ENVIRONMENT ADAPTATION OF BREAD WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) GENOTYPES FOR SUSTAINABLE YIELD

Global wheat production faces a significant threat from salinity stress, influencing yield and quality traits.This study evaluated the salt tolerance of 102 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes based on morpho-physiological traits at the seedling stage.Using a factorial complete randomized design (CRD), traits such as germination rate, vigor index, shoot and root length, root-to-shoot ratio, fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, and salt tolerance index were measured under saline and control conditions.Analysis of variances revealed that all the studied parameters differed significantly among all genotypes, indicating the significance genetic variability existed.A strong association among most of the studied traits under both conditions underscores their importance for wheat breeding in salinity-stressed areas, where selecting one trait may enhance others.However, the coefficient of germination showed a negative, non-significant correlation with root and shoot length.Out of the 10 principal components (PCs), under normal conditions, five PCs had eigenvalues greater than one, accounting for 65% of the total variation.Under salinity stress, four PCs exceeded an eigenvalue of one, explaining 58% of the total variation.Based on the performance, Genotypes G7, G16, G24, G47, and G56 showed superior salt tolerance, making them ideal for improving wheat productivity and breeding resilient varieties, while G77, G84, G87, G94, and G99 were susceptible to salinity stress.The best performing germplasm under salinity stress might be a desirable genotype to be used as genetic resource for future breeding projects and early selection criteria for high yielding in wheat.