PRODUCTION OF SALT-TOLERANT WHEAT GERMPLASM THROUGH CROSSING CULTIVATED WHEAT WITH AEGILOPS CYLINDRICA .2. FIELD-EVALUATION OF SALT-TOLERANT GERMPLASM

Wheat germplasm produced through wide hybridization and three wheat va rieties were compared for salt-tolerance potential under field conditi ons at an electrical conductivity varying between 6-10 dS/m. Comparati ve performance of the same material with direct sowing and transplanti ng and possible effects of the cultivation method on the concentration of sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) was also studied. There was little difference in the yield components of the salt-tolerant wheats and li nes, except for mean grain yield, which was significantly reduced in c ultivated wheat varieties growing under saline fields compared with no n-saline fields. Differences due to the method of cultivating plants w ere also nonsignificant in most cases. Two lines produced significantl y higher yields under saline conditions compared with wheat variety LU -26 that was used as a salt-tolerant check. The values for K at the se edling stage and those for the K/Na ratio at seedling and heading stag es were significantly higher with direct sowing compared to transplant ing. The overall performance of the new germplasm under saline fields was better than that of the salt-tolerant wheat varietiy LU-26.