Effects of Nitrogen on Seedling Growth of Wheat Varieties under Salt Stress

Wheat growth is hampered by various environmental stresses including salinity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nitrogen effect on seedling emergence and growth under salinity conditions. For this reason the seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties Argine, and Elnilein from Sudan and Xumai 30, and Yang 10-13 from China were cultured under four NaCl solutions containing (0, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl) and three nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels (N0 = 0, N1 = 105, and N2 12 = 210 kg N/h). Emergence percentage and early growth were determined. There were significant differences among salinity and N levels for emergence percentage shoot and root length, dry weight, salt tolerance index, and seedling vigor index. At all salinity levels, the varieties showed similar salt resistance, but each responded differently. Nitrogen affected positively on the seedling characteristics under saline soil. Elnilein had a better emergence percentage, shoot and root length, dry weight, salt tolerance index, and seedling vigor index than the other varieties. Elnilein is recommended for saline soils. We suggest that a simple seedling test would be a useful selection tool in order to develop productive new wheat lines on saline soils.