Differential growth of some grapevine varieties in Syria in response to salt <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Summary Growth sensitivity of four local grapevine (Vitis vinifera) varieties, Ashlamesh, Helwani, Kassofee, and Khoudeiry, were evaluated for salt. They were cultured on DSD1 medium until rooting stage, then they were transferred to a liquid DSD1 medium containing 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 80, 120, or 150 mM NaCl for 30 d. The shoot length and leaf number of Ashlamesh, Helwani, and Kassofee were significantly increased at 10 and/or 30 mM NaCl, whereas, 150 mM NaCl decreased shoot length of all varieties except Kassofee. The presence of NaCl at 80 mM or higher concentrations decreased the chlorophyll content and root number of all varieties, while 30 mM NaCl increased root number of Kassofec.