
%0 Journal Article
%A Munns, R. 
%A Hare, R. A. 
%A James, R. A. 
%A Rebetzke, G. J. 
%T Genetic variation for improving the salt tolerance of durum wheat
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1999/11/29
%V 51
%N 1
%P 69-74
%K salinity, sodicity, sodium, Triticum turgidum.
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AR99057
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AR99057 
%X Durum wheat (AB genomes) is more salt-sensitive than bread wheat (ABD genomes), a feature that restricts its expansion into areas with sodic or saline soils. Salt tolerance in bread wheat is linked with a locus on the D genome that results in low Na+ uptake and enhanced K+/Na+ discrimination. In order to introduce salt tolerance into current durum wheats from sources other than the D genome, a search for genetic variation in salt tolerance was made across a wide range of tetraploids representing 5 Triticum turgidum sub-species (durum, carthlicum, turgidum, turanicum, polonicum). Selections were screened for low Na+ uptake and enhanced K+/Na+ discrimination. This was assessed in seedlings grown in 150 m&#x041C; NaCl with supplemental Ca2+, by measuring the Na+ and K+ accumulated in the blade of a given leaf over 10 days. Large and repeatable genetic variation was found. Low Na+ accumulation and high K+/Na+ discrimination of similar magnitude to that of bread wheat was found in the sub-species durum. These selections have the potential for improving salt tolerance in durum wheat breeding programs. 
