Effect of Salinity on Water Relations, Sodium Accumulation, Chlorophyll Content and Proteolytic Enzymes in a Wild Wheat

The effect of 50 to 200 mM NaCl on two lines (CP with solid stem and CV with hollow stem) of ×Haynaldoticum sardoum was studied. NaCl significantly reduced root and shoot fresh and dry masses, root length and less markedly shoot length of CP and CV plants. The sodium accumulated in the leaves in relation to the concentration of NaCl and length of the treatment; CP leaves contained twice as much sodium as CV leaves. The leaf chlorophyll a/b ratio was not affected by NaCl. NaCl decreased the leaf water and osmotic potentials. The pressure potential increased due to the increased concentration of dissolved solutes in the leaf, particularly sodium. The proteinase and exopeptidase activities increased during NaCl treatment. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.