Salinity Effects on Yield and Yield Components of Contrasting Naked Oat Genotypes

ABSTRACT

Global crop production systems are challenged by the increasing areas of saline soil in arid and semi-arid regions. Two naked oat (Avena sativa L.) lines (‘VAO-7’ and ‘VAO-24’) with distinct seedling tolerance to salinity were subjected to six levels of salt concentrations in a controlled greenhouse, and the response of yield and yield components to salinity stress was determined. The salt treatments 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) (corresponding to EC: 3.42, 6.74, 9.66, 12.40, 15.04 dS m^?1) imposed through modified Hoagland solution. Plain Hoagland was used as control. Complete nutrient elements were provided during the entire growth period. At maturity, the number of tillers with emerged heads was counted; the plant was then harvested and separated into shoots, seeds, and roots. Both plant height and days to maturity were shortened with increasing salt stress. Among the yield components, spikelet, tiller number, and grain dry weight per plant were significantly reduced by increasing salt concentration. Number of spikelets and grain weight per plant were the most salt-sensitive yield components. Thousand grain weight also varied as salinity stress increased. Harvest index remained relatively unchanged until the salinity reached 150 mM and higher. Our data indicate that grain yield reduction in oat due to salinity stress is associated with reduced number of grains per plant and mean grain weight.