Evaluation of salt stress resistance in diploid wheat species

Abstract

The National Gene Bank of the Genetic Resources Institute of Azerbaijan houses over 2,000 wheat accessions, vital for breeding plants resilient to environmental stresses. This study focuses on comparing the salinity stress resistance of three diploid wheat species: Triticum monococcum L., Triticum boeoticum (L.) Boiss, and Triticum urartu Thum. ex Gandil., comprising 170 accessions from the ICARDA gene bank. Salinity stress resistance was assessed according to the capacity of the genotypes to exclude Na+ ions from leaves. A wide variation was observed among accessions for stress response, allowing for classification them into resistant, moderately resistant, and susceptible groups within each species. Analysis revealed differing resistance percentages among species. T. boeoticum had 61% resistant, 20.8% moderately resistant, and 18.2% susceptible accessions. T. monococcum showed 40%, 33.3%, 26.7%, and T. urartu had 23%, 50.6%, 26.4% respectively. Notably, T. boeoticum exhibited greater resistance than T. monococcum and T. urartu, attributed to its wild-growing nature and distinct biomorphological, biochemical, and molecular features. Salt-tolerant accessions are recommended for breeding programs and stored in both the National Gene Bank of Azerbaijan and the ICARDA Gene Bank. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing salt-tolerant accessions, particularly Triticum boeoticum genotypes, in targeted breeding programs to enhance wheat's resilience to salinity stress.