Biotech Studies 2012, Vol 21, Num, 2     (Pages: 070-074)

Response of Some Durum Wheat (T. durum Desf.) Cultivars to In Vitro High Level Salinity

Nur KOYUNCU

1 Tarla Bitkileri Merkez Araştırma Enstitüsü Müdürlüğü, Ankara - Salt tolerance of 13 durum wheat (T. durum Desf.) genotypes, which are grown in Turkey, were assessed on in vitro conditions using mature embryos. They were exposed to different concentration of NaCl (0,3,6,9,12,15,18 g/l) from initiation of the callus induction. Cultivars evaluated based on callus induction, weight of callus and number of regenerated callus parameters. All parameters decreased with increasing salt levels and there were significant differences among genotypes. Accordingly it was found that Mirzabey-2000 and Selçuklu-97 cultivars grew better than the other cultivars at high salt levels and they may be used as genitors in breeding programs. Keywords : NaCl, callus induction, in vitro, durum wheat