The objective of this study was to screen 13 genotypes of wheat for salt tolerance. Wheat genotypes were grown in hydroponic solution not stressed or stressed by 15% NaCl. At seedling stage seedling shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight and root dry weight at vegetative stage were determined. High significant differences were observed for all traits among these genotypes under stressed and non-stressed conditions except for shoot dry weight at stress tolerance index (STI). The phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) was generally higher than the genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) for all traits. Broad sense heritability estimates were ranged from 50% for seedling shoot length under stressed condition to 89 % for root dry weight under not stressed condition. High genetic advance under selection was noted for all traits. The least genetic distances 1.47 was between Sakha 69 and Sakha 61, while the highest genetic distances 8.20 was between Gemmiza 3 and Giza 162. The cluster analysis dendrogram reveled to two groups. Group A consisted of one cluster, containing Gemmiza 9 and Gemmiza 3. Group B was divided into two subclusters. Subcluster I contained Sakha 8. Subcluster II was divided into two subclusters. Qualitative morphological characteristics for Sakha 61 and Sakha 69 genotypes showed a relationship with genotype background. This study identified Sakha 8 as the most salt tolerant genotype in the cluster analysis and it can be utilized through appropriate selection and breeding programs for further improvement in salt tolerance of Egyptian wheat genotypes.
Key words: Wheat, Salt Stress, PCV, GCV, Heritability, Genetic Advance, Phenotypic Genetic Diversity.
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