Soil salinity is one of the major constraints to crop production worldwide. The multifaceted nature of salinity tolerance traits complicates plant screening and the identification of salt-tolerant germplasm to be used for the genetic advancement of corps. Many screening criteria have been suggested to distinguish between genotypes. Most of these were applied under controlled environmental conditions and limited to one developmental stage of plants. As a result, most of the reported tolerance could not be validated under field conditions. This study employed a membership function value (MFV) to assess NaCl tolerance of eight wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes measured at germination, vegetative and reproductive stages, as an integrative tool for the overall plant performance. Salt stresses had an adverse effect on plant physiological (residual transpiration, stomatal density, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics; leaf N, Na⁺ and K⁺ content) and agronomical (plant height; biomass; root and tiller number; grain) characteristics. Based on this assessment, plants were divided into three contrasting groups: salt tolerant, moderately salt tolerant and salt sensitive. Although genotypes did not show the same degree of tolerance in germination, glasshouse and field experiments, the variety Yu-07 showed consistently better performance in all trials, whilst Aus19720 was most sensitive in glasshouse and field experiments. These contrasting genotypes could be of a potential value for further studies to uncover the genetic mechanisms governing salt stress response in wheat.

中文翻译：

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小麦耐盐胁迫形态生理指标多维筛选与评价

土壤盐分是全球作物生产的主要制约因素之一。耐盐性状的多方面性质使植物筛选和用于植物遗传进步的耐盐种质的鉴定变得复杂。已经提出了许多筛选标准来区分基因型。其中大多数是在受控的环境条件下应用的，并且仅限于植物的一个发育阶段。结果，大多数报告的公差无法在现场条件下验证。本研究采用隶属函数值 (MFV) 来评估 8 种小麦 ( Triticum aestivum) 在发芽、营养和生殖阶段测量的基因型，作为整体植物性能的综合工具。盐胁迫对植物生理（剩余蒸腾、气孔密度、叶绿素荧光特性；叶片 N、Na ⁺和 K ⁺含量）和农艺（株高；生物量；根和分蘖数；谷物）特征。基于这一评估，植物被分为三个对比组：耐盐、中度耐盐和盐敏感。尽管基因型在发芽、温室和田间试验中没有表现出相同程度的耐受性，但 Yu-07 品种在所有试验中始终表现出更好的性能，而 Aus19720 在温室和田间试验中最为敏感。这些对比鲜明的基因型可能对进一步研究揭示控制小麦盐胁迫反应的遗传机制具有潜在价值。