EVALUATION OF SOME WHEAT VARIETIES PRODUCTIVITY UNDER SALINE STRESS CONDITIONS IN SINAl

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out in the Experimental Station of the Desert Research Center located at Ras-Sudr, South of Sinai, in the two growing seasons, 1997/1998 and 1998/l999.

In the first experiment wheat nursery was carried out in the :,rreenhouse, by sowing 4 wheat cultivars; Sakha-8, Gemmeza-3, Sids-4 and Sids-7. Seven salinity levels were used for irrigation in the nursery The control was irrigated with tap water and six mixtures of Suez Gulf water (43392 ppm) and tap water in order to obtain salinity levels of 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, 1 0000 and 12000 ppm. The plates were arranged in completely randomized design in five replicates. The average height of wheat seedlings was measured, I 0, 17 and 25 days after sowing date. The seedlings height were slightly decreased than those of the control by using low salinity levels from 2000 up to 6000 ppm. Hence, these seedlings were transplanted in the pennanent field, 20 days after the sowing date. Whereas, the wheat seedlings resulted rrom irrigation with the high salinity levels from (8000 up to 12000 ppm) were obviously shorter in height than those of the control. Hence, they were transplanted, 30 days after the sowing date. In the second experiment, wheat seedlings resulting from the nursery, were transplanted in the permanent field