Growth response, water relations and K/Na ratio in wheat under sodium and calcium interactions

A study was conducted in the glass house to observe the role of K/Na ratio and moisture contents on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L .cv. Lu-26) under NaCl stress. The plants were grown under hydroponic conditions at two salinity levels of 0 and 50 mM as NaCl. Calcium as CaSO4. 2H2O was applied at 3 and 6 mM to the pots of salinity. The plants were harvested after 30 days of growth. The treatments showed a highly significant (p< 0.01) effect on the growth and ionic relations. Fresh weight of shoot and root increased by 44 and 41 % respectively, with increased application of CaSO4 from 3 to 6 mM in the saline medium. Dry mass was increased by 46% at 50 mM of NaCl with the application of 6 mM of CaSO4.2H2O. Relative water content in the root decreased with the application of CaSO4.2H2O in saline treatment as compared to non-saline treatment. The increased K/Na ratio had a pronounced effect on the increase of dry mass of shoot by 72% at 6 mM than 3 mM of CaSO4.2H2O application in the saline medium.