Abstract Cereal production in arid land can contribute to ensuring food security. However, arid climates pose significant challenges for agriculture. This study presents a novel contribution by specifically evaluating the salinity tolerance of three durum wheat ( Triticum durum L.: Vitron, Boussellam, Cirta) and a triticale genotype ( x Triticosecale Wittmack .: Elkouahi) from Algeria’s Souf region. Salt stress bioassays during germination tested four NaCl concentrations (0,100, 200 and 400 mmol/L), measuring germination indices, root/shoot length, and seedling weight. Salt tolerance was evaluated and categorized based on the Membership Function Value (MFV), which was calculated using Salt Tolerance Indices (STI). Results classified Vitron as salt-tolerant (MFV = 0.94), triticale and Boussellam as moderately tolerant (MFV = 0.13–0.94), and Cirta as salt-sensitive (MFV = 0.06). Under 200 mmol/L NaCl, germination percentage (R²=0.89) and seedling length (R²=0.96) showed the strongest correlations with MFV, identifying them as key indicators for salt tolerance. This method offers a rapid, practical tool to screen salt-resistant genotypes, crucial for improving cereal yields in saline Saharan soils. The findings highlight the potential of selecting resilient varieties like Vitron and triticale to enhance agricultural productivity in arid climates, addressing food security challenges amid increasing soil salinity. This approach can be expanded to other crops, optimizing their adaptation to harsh environments and supporting sustainable agriculture in Saharan regions.
Bouafiane et al. (Mon,) studied this question.