Effect of Salinity on Grain Yield and Quality, Vegetative Growth, and Germination of Semi‐Dwarf and Durum Wheat1

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Abstract
Semi‐dwarf bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L., Durum Group) are often grown on saline soils in the western United States. Because of the lack of information on salinity effects on vegetative growth and seed yield of these two species, a 2‐yr field plot study was conducted. Six salinity treatments were imposed on a Holtville silty clay [clayey over loamy, montmorillonitic (calcareous), hyperthermic Typic Torrifluvent] by irrigating with waters salinized with NaCl and CaCl2 (1:l by wt). Electrical conductivities of the irrigation waters were 1.5, 2.5, 5.0, 7.4, 9.9, and 12.4 dS/m the first year, and 1.5, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, 16.1, and 20.5 dS/m the second year. Grain yield, vegetative growth, and germination were measured. Relative grain yields of one semi‐dwarf wheat cultivar and two durum cultivars were unaffected by soil salinity up to 8.6 and 5.9 dS/m (electrical conductivity of the saturated‐soil extract), respectively. Each unit increase in salinity above the thresholds reduced yield of the semi‐dwarf cultivar by 3.0% and the two durum cultivars by 3.8%. These results place both species in the salt‐tolerant category. Salinity increased the protein content of both grains but only the quality of the durum grain was improved. Vegetative growth of both species was decreased more by soil salinity than was grain yield. Both species were less salt tolerant at germination than they were after the three‐leaf stage of growth.

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