Growth response of barley and wheat to salt stress

Dry matter yield and water uptake by barley (Hordeum vulgare L., cv. ‘Gus') and wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. ‘Inia 66') grown in full strength Hoagland nutrient solution were compared under three NaCl salinity levels in a growth chamber. Total dry matter yield decreased with increasing salinity for both plants, but wheat was more severely affected than barley at the high salinity level. Reduction in dry matter weights of barley and wheat were 57% and 67%, respectively, at the 1.2 MPa stress. Salt stress substantially decreased the number of tillers in both crops, however, this reduction was more severe for wheat than barley. The numbers of tillers were 10 and 7 for barley plants at 0.6 and 1.2 MPa stress, respectively. The respective values were 6 and 4 for wheat plants. Water uptake in both plants was substantially decreased by increasing salinity stress. This reduction was essentially similar for both plants. Water uptake per gram dry weight was not significantly affected by salt stress for barley. For wheat, only 1.2 MPa stress increased the amount of water absorbed per g dry matter produced.