American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 9 (1): 86-90, 2010 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2010 Corresponding Author: Shahzad Jamaati-e-Somarin, Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran, Tel: +989141594490, E-mail: jamaati_1361@yahoo.com 86 Effects of Polyethylene Glycol and NaCl Stress on Two Cultivars of Wheat (Triticum durum) at Germination and Early Seedling Stages Roza Gholamin, Majid Khayatnezhad, Shahzad jamaati-e- Somarin and Rogayyeh Zabihi-e-Mahmoodabad Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran Abstract: To study on effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and NaCl stress on germination and early seedling stages on two genotypes of wheat, two separated experiment were laid out at laboratory, in Iran in 2010. This investigation was performed as factorial experiment under Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Cultivar factor contains of two genotypes (Seimareh and Leucurum) and five levels of stress (0, -2, -4, -6 and -8 bar). Results indicated that significant decrease in percentage of germination, germination rate, length of radicle and plumule and radicle and plumule dry matter. On the basis of the results, NaCl as compared with PEG had more effect on germination and early seedling stage and Seimareh had more resistant than Leucurum in both stress conditions. Key words: Wheat %Early seedling stage %Germination %PEG and NaCl Stress INTRODUCTION sensitivity or tolerance to salts [14]. Wheat is a major Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme population and is the main staple food of Asia [15]. It is temperatures, chemical toxicity and oxidative stress are originated in South Western Asia and has been a major serious threats to agriculture and result in the agricultural commodity since pre historic times. The total deterioration of the environment. Abiotic stress is the production area in Pakistan is 8.2 mha and the average primary cause of crop loss worldwide, reducing yield is 2170 kg/hectare [16]. Wheat crop is mainly average yields for most major crop plants by more cultivated under rain fed conditions where precipitation than 50% [1]. One of the most important abiotic factors is less then 900 mm annually. Wheat is grown both as limiting plant germination and early seedling stages is spring and winter crop. Winter crop is more extensively water stress brought about by drought and salinity [2], grown than spring. The possible cause of varietal which are widespread problems around the world [3]. difference most likely evolves ion transport properties Salinity and drought affect the plants in a similar way [4]. and cellular compartementation [17]. Schachtmann and Reduced water potential is a common consequence of Munns [18] reported that sodium exclusion was a general both salinity and drought [5]. Water stress acts by characteristic of salt tolerance in wheat lines; where as, decreasing the percentage and rate of germination and salt tolerant display much higher shoot sodium level than seedling growth [6]. Germination of seeds, one of the most sensitive lines. Few studies have been carried out on the critical phases of plant life, is greatly influenced by relative salt tolerance of various cultivars of agricultural salinity [7]. NaCl and polyethylene glycol (PEG) crops of Pakistan [9, 10]. The screening of salt tolerant compounds have been used to simulate osmotic stress lines/cultivars has been attempted by many researchers effects in Petri dish (Iin vitro) for plants to maintain on various species at seedling growth stage [19]. The uniform water potential throughout the experimental relation of various seedling growth parameters to seed period [8]. Stalinization is the scourge of intensive yield and yield component under saline conditions are agriculture [9]. High concentrations of salts have important for the development of salt tolerant cultivar for detrimental effects on germination of seeds [10, 11] and production under saline conditions. The principal aim of plant growth [12]. Many investigators have reported present study was to compare the effects of drought and retardation of germination and growth of seedlings at high salt stress induced on germination and early seedling salinity [13]. However plant species differ in their stage of two cultivars of wheat. staple food crop for more than one third of the world