Salinity Duration Differently Modulates Physiological Parameters and Metabolites Profile in Roots of Two Contrasting Barley Genotypes

was also able to accumulate compatible osmolytes but only in the first weeks of salinity, while soon after the roots stopped up taking potassium and growing. In the last week of salinity stress, the wild species further increased the root to shoot ratio to enhance the root retention of toxic ions and consequently delaying the damages both to shoot and root. This delay of few weeks in showing the symptoms of stress may be pivotal for enabling the survival of the wild species when soil salinity is transient and not permanent.