Differential Response of Wheat and Barley Genotypes to Substrate-induced Salinity under North Indian Conditions

SUMMARY Ten wheat and six barley genotypes were tested for their response to soil salinity regimes varying from 0 to 16 mmhos cm−1. Barley showed remarkable resistance to salt stress, linked to its capability to resist efflux of potassium ions from the plant system. Both crops showed substantial yield reductions at 12 mmhos cm−1, but barley still outyielded wheat by over 50%. There were significant interactions between salinity levels and genotypes in wheat but not in barley.The wheat variety Sonalika showed poor salt tolerance. The implications of these findings in breeding salt-tolerant varieties are discussed.