Comparative Growth Responses and Ionic Relations of Four Cereals during Salt Stress

Four varieties, one each of triticale, wheat, rye and barley were grown in nutrient solution without and with the addition of 75 and 150 mM NaCl. Plants were exposed to salinity for two weeks and growth and ionic relations of plants were measured. Growth of four cereals varieties was affected to different degrees with salinity and shoot fresh weight/dry weight ratios decreased with increase in salt concentration in root medium. Shoots of barley variety accumulated high content of Na and Cl which were primarily due to higher rates of net ion transport from root to shoot. Higher accumulation of Na and Cl in barley variety shoot accompanied by better relative growth rates indicated plant's ability to compartmentalize ions in vacuoles.     

大豆出苗期耐盐性鉴定方法建立及耐盐种质筛选

土壤盐渍化是影响农业生产的重要问题,筛选耐盐大豆资源对于大豆主产区盐渍化土壤的利用具有重要意义。以中黄35、中黄39、Williams82、铁丰8号、Peking和NY27-38为供试材料,以蛭石为培养基质,设0、100和150 mmol L?1 NaCl 3个处理,进行出苗期耐盐性鉴定,分析与生长相关的6个指标,旨在明确大豆出苗期耐盐性鉴定指标和评价方法。结果表明, 150 mmol L?1NaCl处理显著降低大豆的成苗率、株高、地上部鲜重、根鲜重、地上部干重和根干重,并且不同材料间差异显著。基于幼苗生长发育状况的耐盐指数方法与耐盐系数方法对6份种质耐盐性评价结果显著相关。耐盐指数法对植株无损坏、可省略种植对照,节约人力和物力,提高种质鉴定的效率。因此,以150 mmol L?1 NaCl作为出苗期耐盐鉴定浓度,以耐盐指数作为大豆出苗期耐盐鉴定评价指标,鉴定27份大豆资源,获得出苗期高度耐盐大豆(1级) 3份、耐盐大豆(2级) 7份,其中4份苗期也高度耐盐(1级),分别为运豆101、郑1311、皖宿1015和铁丰8号。本研究建立了一种以蛭石为基质,利用150 mmol L?1 NaCl处理,以耐盐指数作为评价指标的大豆出苗期耐盐性鉴定评价的简便方法,并筛选出4份出苗期和苗期均耐盐的大豆,对耐盐大豆种质资源的高效鉴定和耐盐大豆新品种培育具有重要意义。     

Interaction of Phosphate and Salinity on the Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The role of phosphorus application on growth and yield of rice under saline conditions was studied in a set of two experiments, one in nutrient and the other in soil culture. In experiment 1, the effect of inorganic phosphate (P_i) on the growth and ionic relations of four rice cultivars, varying in salt tolerance and phosphorus use efficiency, grown in nutrient solution with and without 50 mol m^?3 NaCl was measured in a 2 week trial. The growth of all rice cultivars was affected to different degrees due to external P, in the presence of salt. External P, concentration up to 100 μM in the presence of NaCl caused stimulation of all growth parameters (shoot, root, tillering capacity), above this concentration P, had an inhibitory effect. Salt-induced P toxicity was exhibited at a much lower P, concentration (10 μM) by the salt sensitive cultivar. Increasing the supply of phosphorus (from 1 to 100 μM P_i) to the saline medium tended to decrease the concentrations of Na¹ and CI in all cultivars except IR 1561. Shoot concentrations of these saline ions were much lower in the salt tolerant and moderately salt tolerant rice cultivars. Shoot P and Zn concentrations showed an increasing trend in the presence of external P, and salt in the rooting nr -idium but most strikingly P: Zn ratio was lower in salt tolerant and moderately salt tolerant cultivars. Significantly higher concentrations of Na⁺, P and CI, and lower concentrations of Zn, were determined in the shoots of salt sensitive cultivars when exposed to salt stress in the presence of P_i Results were confirmed in naturally salt-affected soils of two different types (saline-sodic and saline) where paddy yield of NIAB 6 (salt tolerant) and IR 1561 (salt sensitive) showed improvement through moderate phosphorus supply (18 kg P ha^?1).     

Assessment of salinity tolerance based upon seedling root growth response functions in maize (Zea mays L.)

Root growth response of 10-days-oldseedlings of 100 maize accessions at, 0 mM, 60 mM, 80 mM and 150 mM NaCl concentration was assessed in solution culture. The non-linear least square method was used to quantify the salt tolerance of maize accessions. The estimated salinity threshold, Ct, the NaCl concentration at which root growth starts to decrease, C0, and C50, the concentrations at which roots stop growing and 50% of its control value revealed considerable differences between the accessions. No general consistency for tolerance was, however, found between the estimates of Ct and C50. Different genetic systems appeared to be involved in controlling the inheritance of Ct and C50.Both Ct and C50 appeared to quantify accession tolerance, and the expression of root growth as a function of NaCl concentrations provides a useful guideline for salt tolerance. Estimates of broad sense heritability for relative root length were moderate in size (0.62 to 0.82), suggesting the scope for enhancing salt tolerance in maize through selection and breeding. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic basis of variation for salt tolerance in maize ( Zea mays L).

The genetic basis of salt tolerance was examined in selected salt tolerant and sensitive material from a sample of accessions previously assessed for variability in salinity tolerance. The North Carolina Model 2 Design and analysis was followed, tolerance being assessed in 10-day-old seedlings grown in salinized solution culture at control (0 mM), 60 mM and 80 mM NaCl concentrations). Salinity tolerance was shown to be under the control of genes with additive and non-additive effects, with broad and narrow sense heritability estimates being approximately 0.7 and 0.4 over all treatments. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Vigour/tolerance trade‐off in cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) response to salinity stress is linked to leaf elemental composition

Developing more stress‐tolerant crops will require greater knowledge of the physiological basis of stress tolerance. Here, we explore how biomass declines in response to salinity relate to leaf traits across 20 genotypes of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Plant growth, leaf physiological traits and leaf elemental composition were assessed after 21 days of salinity treatments (0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 mM NaCl) in a greenhouse study. There was a trade‐off in performance such that vigorous genotypes, those with higher biomass at 0 mM NaCl, had both a larger absolute decrease and proportional decrease in biomass due to increased salinity. More vigorous genotypes at control were less tolerant to salinity. Contrary to expectation, genotypes with a low increase in leaf Na and decrease in K:Na were not better at maintaining biomass with increasing salinity. Rather, genotypes with a greater reduction in leaf S and K content were better at maintaining biomass at increased salinity. While we found an overall trade‐off between sunflower vigour and salt tolerance, some genotypes were more tolerant than expected. Further analysis of the traits and mechanisms underlying this trade‐off may allow us to breed these into high‐vigour genotypes in order to increase their salt tolerance.     

Improvement of Salt Tolerance in Maize by Selection and Breeding

Genetic variation for NaCl tolerance at the vegetative stage was assessed in nutrient solution culture in maize (Zea mays L.). Shoot growth, and plant fresh and dry weight of the two cultivars, Akbar and Sadat were severely reduced after three weeks growth in 120, 150, and ISO mol m^?3 NaCl. There was however considerable variability between seedlings. Ten-thousands seeds of cv. Akbar were therefore screened for shoot growth at 180 mol m^?3 NaCl after four weeks growth in sand culture. A selection intensity of 0.42 % was achieved. Eighteen selected plants were polycrossed for estimation of narrow-sense heritability based on female parent-progeny regression. A narrow-sense heritability estimate of 0.54 was obtained. The progeny of the salt-tolerant selection line and selfed progeny plants of the unselccted control lines of cvs Akbar and Sadat were grown for six weeks in 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 mol m^?3 NaCl in sand culture. The tolerant line produced significantly greater fresh and dry biomass and had greater shoot length than the unselected cv. Akbar, but the selection line derived from cv. Akbar was equal to the salt tolerant cv. Sadat in all the growth parameters measured. These data suggest that in maize, improvement in salt tolerance could be obtained through further cycles of selection and breeding.     

Assessment for salinity tolerance through intergeneric hybridisation: Triticum durum × Aegilops speltoides

Summary Triploid hybrid embryos (AABB × SS = ABS) were produced by crossing two moderately salt-tolerant wheats, namely Triticum turgidum durum and Aegilops speltoides subsp. speltoides. The embryos were rescued by culturing on agar No. 1. Chromosome doubling was achieved by using 0.05% colchicine. The resulting hexaploid plants grew to maturity, and produced a considerable amount of seed (≈40,000). The synthetic hexaploid (C₂) was tested for salinity tolerance, grown at 0, 100, 125, 150, 160, 170, 180 and 200 mM NaCl in a standard nutrient solution for 2 weeks. The criterion of salt tolerance was root growth in different NaCl concentrations. The amphidiploid material showed greater salinity tolerance than either parent, suggesting the presence of different genes for tolerance in the parents.     

Effect of Sodium Chloride on Growth, Photosynthesis and Mineral Ions Accumulation of Different Types of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Growth, photosynthesis and mineral ions accumulation of aromatic small grain, local coarse grain and HYV types of rice were evaluated under saline conditions. Three cultivars from each type were subjected to 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mvi NaCl concentrations. After three weeks of 200 mvi NaCl application only Pokkali and Kalobail, both belonging to the local coarse grain type and IPK 37011 of the HYV type were able to survive. Plant height, green leaf area, leaf weight, shoot and root growth were seriously decreased by salinity. However, leaf area was decreased more than other growth parameters. In general aromatic small grain type showed higher salt-sensitiveness in relation to growth than other types of rice. Photosynthesis (Pn) was decreased by salinity and apparently stomatal resistance was partially responsible for the decreased Pn. Kalijira, an aromatic small grain eultivar, showed serious reduction in Pn, especially at the 150mM NaCl level. Na accumulation was increased while K accumulation was decreased by salinity in all types. Salt tolerant eultivars in all types of rice accumulated less Na and more K than susceptible ones. The K/Na ratio was also higher in tolerant eulti-vars. Ca and Mg eoncentrations were decreased by salinity although not all the eultivars showed clear accumulation patterns as observed for Na and K. As HYV and local coarse grain types of rice in general showed high salt tolerance, a comprehensive breeding programme should be of value for the improvement of salt tolerance of aromatic small grain rice which has a high demand in rice importing countries.     

NaCl胁迫对海岛棉幼苗光合和荧光特性的影响

本文旨在研究盐胁迫对不同海岛棉品系幼苗生长指标、叶绿素含量、光合及叶绿素荧光参数的影响,为海岛棉耐盐材料的选育、栽培管理提供理论依据。以两份海岛棉—耐盐性强的品系越海9号和耐盐性弱的品系PS-7为材料,采用水培法,从发芽至三叶期,进行150 mM NaCl的持续胁迫,研究盐胁迫下不同海岛棉品系的生长指标、叶绿素含量、光合及荧光参数的变化。结果显示：持续NaCl胁迫降低了越海9号和PS-7的叶面积、根长、茎长、根/茎比值、叶绿素 a、叶绿素 b和叶绿素 a与b总量,提高了叶绿素a/b比值。盐胁迫促进了越海9号的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用率(WUE)、PSⅡ实际光化学量子产量(Y(Ⅱ))、光化学淬灭系数(qP)、光合电子传递相对速率(rETR)上升,PSII的最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)下降。盐胁迫导致PS-7的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、水分利用率(WUE)、PSII的最大光化学量子产量(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ实际光化学量子产量(Y(Ⅱ))、光化学淬灭系数(qP)和光合电子传递相对速率(rETR)降低,胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和非光化学猝灭系数(NPQ)提高。PS-7的根/茎比值大于越海9号,其余指标均小于越海9号。上述结果提示,持续盐胁迫抑制了海岛棉生长指标及叶绿素等生物量积累,对耐盐性弱的品系抑制程度大于耐盐性强的品系。非气孔限制因素是导致盐胁迫下PS-7净光合速率下降的主要原因。PSⅡ实际原初光能转化效率提高是引起盐胁迫下越海9号净光合速率上升的主要原因。生长指标、叶绿素含量、光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数可作为鉴定棉花耐盐材料的生理学指标。     

Maize genotypes with deep root systems tolerate salt stress better than those with shallow root systems during early growth

Maize (Zea mays L.) is susceptible to salinity but shows genotypic variation for salt tolerance. How maize genotypes with contrasting root morphological traits respond to salt stress remains unclear. This study assessed genotypic variation in salinity tolerance of 20 maize genotypes with contrasting root systems exposed to NaCl for 10 days (0, 50 mM or 100 mM NaCl, added in four increments every other day from 14 days after transplanting, DAT) in a semi-hydroponic phenotyping system in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Considerable variation was observed for each of the 12 measured shoot and root traits among the 20 genotypes under NaCl treatments. Salt stress significantly decreased biomass production by up to 54% in shoots and 37% in roots compared with the non-saline control. The 20 genotypes were classified as salt-tolerant (8 genotypes), moderately tolerant (5) and salt-sensitive (7) genotypes based on the mean shoot dry weight ratio (the ratio of shoot dry weight at 100 mM NaCl and non-saline control) ± one standard error. The more salt-tolerant genotypes (such as Jindan52) had less reductions in growth, and lower shoot Na⁺ contents and higher shoot K⁺/Na⁺ ratios under salt stress. The declared salt tolerance was positively correlated with shoot height, shoot dry weight and primary root depth, and negatively correlated with shoot Na⁺ content at 100 mM NaCl. Primary root depth is critical for identifying salt responsiveness in maize plants and could be suggested as a selection criterion for screening salt tolerance of maize during early growth. The selected salt-tolerant genotypes have potentials for cultivation in saline soils and for developing high-yielding salt-tolerant maize hybrids in future breeding programmes.     

棉花植株和花粉耐盐性的鉴定

本研究对８个耐盐性不同的棉花品种（系），利用水培的方法对其整体植株进行了耐盐性鉴定，利用液滴培养技术对其花粉的耐盐性进行了鉴定，并分析了棉花整体植株和花粉耐盐性的相关性，结果表明，在水培盐胁迫条件下，棉花叶片总面积和叶片鲜重减少的百分数是反映棉花整体植株耐盐性的指标。在液滴培养盐胁迫条件下，棉花花粉粒萌发的百分率是反映其耐盐性的可靠指标，而花粉管的长度不能反映棉花的耐盐性。棉花整体植株的耐盐性和花     

Effect of Sodium Chloride on Germination and Seedling Characters of Different Types of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The rice eultivars grown in the tropies and sub-tropics can be broadly categorized as aromatic small grain, local coarse grain and modern high yielding varieties (HYV). The first two categories are traditional rice, and are generally palatable. The aromatic rice has better market value than HYV rice, yet farmers are unwilling to expand its cultivation because of the low yield potential. One possibility to expand the cultivation of traditional rice is o t find stress tolerant cultivars for growing in marginal land. The salinity tolerance of nine rice cultivars representing three from each type of aromatic small grains, local coarse grains and HYV types, was analysed at germination and early seedling stage. Seeds were placed for germination and the seedlings were allowed to grow for nine days at NaCl concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM. NaCl decreased the germination index (GI), speed of germination, seedling height and seedling dry matter weight. Seedling characteristics were decreased more than GI. In general aromatic small grain type showed more salt sensitivity than the other two types. Among the nine cultivars Shakkorkhora (aromatic type) showed the least salt tolerance in relation to germination and seedling characters while the other two cultivars of the same group showed tolerance as high as the tolerant cultivars in other types. Generalization of group salt tolerance of rice, therefore, has little value from the agronomic point of view at least at early growth stage. As the number of cultivars employed in this study was only three from each type it is suggested that more cultivars be considered for the purpose of salt tolerant improvement programme of various types of rice.     

Using Growth and Ionic Contents of Wheat Seedlings as Rapid Screening Tool for Salt Tolerance

High germination percentage with vigorous early growth is preferred for harvesting good wheat stand under saline soils. Therefore, an attempt for rapid screening of wheat genotypes for salt tolerance was made in this study. Eleven wheat genotypes including salt tolerant check Kiran-95were subjected to salinity (120 and 160 mMNaCl) along with non-saline control. Results showed a gradual decrease in seed germination and restricted seedling growth in tested wheat genotypes in response to increasing NaCl concentration in nutrient solution. Among the genotypes, NIA-AS-14-6 and NIA-AS-14-7 exhibited more sensitivity towards the salt stress at the germination stage but NIA-AS-14-6 performed quite satisfactorily later on at the seedling stage. Wheat genotypes NIA-AS-14-2, NIA-AS-14-4, NIA-AS-14-5, NIA-AS-14-10, and Kiran-95 showed better performance in term of root-shoot length, plant biomasses (fresh and dry), K⁺:Na⁺ ratio with least Na⁺ content, and high accumulation of K⁺ at higher levels of NaCl stress. On the basis of overall results, the categorization of genotypes was carried out as sensitive, moderately tolerant, and tolerant. Wheat genotypes NIA-AS-14-2, NIA-AS-14-4, NIA-AS-14-5, NIA-AS-14-10, and Kiran-95 grouped as tolerant, moderately salt tolerant group comprised of NIA-AS-14-1, NIA-AS-14-3, NIA-AS-14-6, and NIA-AS-14-8, whereas, NIA-AS-14-7 and NIA-AS-14-9 were found sensitive to salt stress. Principal component analysis revealed that components I and II contributed 70 and 16.5%, respectively. All growth parameters are associated with each other except RDW. In addition to growth traits, low Na⁺ and improved K⁺ content with better K⁺:Na⁺ ratio may be used for screening of salt tolerance in wheat as potential physiological criteria.     

Identification of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] lines tolerant to soil salinity

Crop tolerance to salinity is of high importance due to the extent and the constant increase in salt-affected areas in arid and semi-arid regions. Pearl millet (Pennistum glaucum), generally considered as fairly tolerant to salinity, could be an alternative crop option for salt affected areas. To explore the genotypic variability of vegetative-stage salinity tolerance, 100 pearl millet lines from ICRISAT breeding programs were first screened in a pot culture containing Alfisol with 250 mM NaCl solution as basal application. Subsequently, 31 lines including many parents of commercial hybrids, selected from the first trial were re-tested for confirmation of the initial salinity responses. Substantial variation for salinity tolerance was found on the basis of shoot biomass ratio (shoot biomass under salinity/ non-saline control) and 22 lines with a wide range of tolerance varying from highly tolerant to sensitive entries were identified. The performance of the genotypes was largely consistent across experiments. In a separate seed germination and seedling growth study, the seed germination was found to be adversely affected (more than 70% decrease) in more than half of the genotypes with 250 mM concentration of NaCl. The root growth ratio (root growth under salinity/control) as well as shoot growth ratio was measured at 6 DAS and this did not reflect the whole plant performance at 39 DAS. In general, the whole plant salinity tolerance was associated with reduced shoot N content, increased K⁺ and Na⁺ contents. The K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺⁺/Na⁺ ratios were also positively related to the tolerance but not as closely as the Na⁺ content. Therefore, it is concluded that a large scope exists for improving salt tolerance in pearl millet and that shoot Na⁺ concentration could be considered as a potential non-destructive selection criterion for vegetative-stage screening. The usefulness of this criterion for salinity response with respect to grain and stover yield remains to be investigated.     

Variation in Salinity Tolerance in Sunflower (Helianthus annum L.)

Forty-five accessions of sunflower collected from different countries were screened for salinity tolerance after 2 weeks growth in sand culture salinized with 150 meq l^?1 of NaCl₂+ CaCl₂ (1:1 ratio equivalent wt. basis) in half strength Hoagland's nutrient solution. The results for plant biomass of 45 accessions show that there was considerable variation in salinity tolerance. In a further greenhouse experiment, the salinity tolerance of three tolerant (HO-1, Predovik, Euroflor) and two sensitive (SMH-24, 9UO-985) lines (selected on the basis of their performance in the seedling experiment) was assessed at the adult stage to evaluate the consistency of salinity tolerance at different growth stages. All three salt tolerant accessions produced significantly greater plant biomass, seed yield and seed oil content than the salt sensitive accessions. The tolerant accessions accumulated less Cl^? and more K⁺ in the leaves under saline conditions compared with the salt sensitive accessions. The salt tolerant accessions also maintained relatively high leaf K:Na ratio and K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity. Although statistically nonsignificant, all three tolerant accessions had greater soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins, total free amino acids and proline in the leaves than the sensitive accessions. A field trial conducted in a salt-affected field confirmed the greenhouse results of the selected accessions. This study shows that salinity tolerance of sunflower does not vary with stage of plant cycle, so selection for increased salt tolerance can be carried out at the initial growth stage. Secondly, it is found that there is great variation of salt tolerance in sunflower. Low uptake of Cl^?, high uptake of K⁺, and maintenance of high K:Na ratios and K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity in the leaves and possibly the accumulation of organic osmotica such as soluble carbohydrates, soluble proteins, proline and free amino acids seem to be the important components of salt tolerance in sunflower.     

二倍体马铃薯耐盐材料的离体筛选

马铃薯(Solanum tuberosum L.)是一种对盐中度敏感的作物,土壤盐渍化严重影响马铃薯的生长和发育,给马铃薯的生产带来严重的损失。研究选用四倍体品种‘Bintje’为耐盐对照,‘Mainechip’为感盐对照,在0、40、80、120 mmol/L盐(NaCl)胁迫下,采用单茎节切段离体培养的方法对45个适应长日照的二倍体马铃薯富利亚(S. phureja,PHU)与窄刀薯(S. stenotomum,STN)杂种(PHU-STN)无性系进行耐盐性的评价。通过测量芽长、根长、及其鲜质量和干物质量这6个生长参数,筛选出6个耐盐性显著高于‘Bintje’的二倍体无性系(89-2-1、188-1、267-1、566-1、472-1、463-1),4个耐盐性显著低于‘Mainechip’的二倍体无性系(354-1、138-1、507-1、270-2)。这些二倍体材料是选育耐盐新品种和进行耐盐机制研究的宝贵资源材料。     

Genetic Variation for Salinity Tolerance in Pakistani Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Germplasm

Soil salinity is one of the major production constraints. Development and planting of salt‐tolerant varieties can reduce yield losses due to salinity. We screened 185 rice genotypes at germination stage in petri dishes under control, 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress, and at seedling stage in Yoshida's hydroponic nutrient solution under control, 50 and 100 mm salt stress. At germination stage, 15 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Sonahri Kangni, 7421, 7423 and 7467, whereas at seedling stage, 28 genotypes including Nona Bokra, Jajai‐77, KSK‐133, KSK‐282, Fakhr‐e‐Malakand, Pakhal, IR‐6, Khushboo‐95, Shahkar and Shua‐92 were found salt tolerant. Basmati‐370, Mushkan, Homo‐46 and accessions 7436, 7437 and 7720 were sensitive to salinity at both germination and seedling stage. We further screened a subset of 33 salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive genotypes with SSR markers. Four SSR markers (RM19, RM171, RM172 and RM189) showed significant association with two or more of the studied traits under 50, 100 and 150 mm salt stress. These markers may be further tested for their potential in marker‐assisted selection. The salt‐tolerant genotypes identified in this study may prove useful in the development of salt‐tolerant rice varieties in adapted genetic background.     

盐胁迫对盐生野大豆生长和离子分布的影响

以一年生栽培大豆品种(Lee68,耐盐性较强)和野生大豆品系(N23232,耐盐性较弱)为参照,以水培结合盐土种植的方法,从生长速率、电解质渗漏率和离子分布等方面,研究了盐生野大豆品系(BB52)的耐盐机理.结果表明,盐胁迫下,该品系幼苗生长受抑程度最轻,电解质渗漏率升幅最小.根系吸收的Na+、Cl-向地上部(尤其是叶片)的运输较少,而对     

The Genetic Basis of Variation for Salt Tolerance in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Seedlings

The genetic basis of salt (NaCll tolerance at the seedling stage was examined in eight accessions of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench which differed in relative NaCl tolerance. The eight accessions were crossed in all possible combinations. The Nad tolerances of the resulting 56 F: hybrids and their eight parents were assessed after two weeks growth in solution cultures containing 0, 103, and 150mM NaCl. Indices of salt tolerance (relative tolerance) were used for analysis using the diallel method. Both additive and dominance effects appeared to be important for the expression of variation under low and high salinity levels, but the effect of genes with dominance properties was more pronounced. Estimates of narrow sense hentabilities for sail tolerance were appreciable, suggesting that rapid improvement in salinity tolerance is possible in this species using high selection pressures in the F₂ population.