Response of six wild potato species to chloride and sulfate salinity

Eleven accessions belonging to six species ofSolanum (S. bulbocastanum,S. chacoense, S. gourlayi, S. microdontum, S. papita, and S.sparsipilum) were tested for resistance to salt. Resistance was measured by survival and growth (dry weight of tops) of plants treated with solutions of NaCl and Na₂SO₄. The six species could be grouped into four classes based on good to poor resistance to salt solutions (1.S. chacoense, 2.S. gourlayi, 3.S. microdontum, S. sparsipilum, S. bulbocastanum and 4.S. papita). There was a close relationship (r=0.94**) between the survival of plants and growth of surviving plants treated with salt solutions. There was no relationship between known heat or drought resistance of various accessions and salt resistance. Results indicate there is a large genetic base available to improve the salt resistance of the cultivated potato.