NA/K RATIOS AS THE BASIS OF SALT TOLERANCE IN WHEAT

Na/K ratios of salt tolerant and susceptible varieties of wheat were measured. The Na/K ratio in wheat grain and straw above or below a particular level indicate the tolerance of wheat to salinity. This fact was confirmed by applying presoaking treatments of plant hormones to test susceptibility of varieties. On the basis of the results obtained in two pot experiments, the limit of the Na/K ratio of grain and straw of wheat for designating a variety as tolerant is <0.15 and <0.4 respectively, while this ratio at the tillering stage is 0.5.