Multivariateanalysis of traits associated with durum wheat seed vigor under saline conditions.

Abstract

n thisstudy, the ability of germination, seedlings emergence and salt stress tolerance in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) wereevaluated by multivariate analysis using eight cultivars collected from different regions of Algeria. Two-way ANOVA indicatedsignificant effects of "salt stress" and"genotype"on all the attributes of germination and seedlings growth. The principal component analysis indicated that the first and second components accounted for about 64.5% of the variation among the traits analyzed. The second component includedthe coleoptileslength,seedlingslength and vigor index, and accountedfor nearly 60% of the variation. This component representedthe ability of wheat seedlings to grow under salt stress conditions. The hierarchical cluster analysis classified the eight genotypes into two groups. Results obtained suggestedthat selection for high values of the traits such as"coleoptileslength", ‘seedlingslength’and "seedsvigor"didimprove salt tolerance of durum wheat. In addition, the cross between the genotypes classified in groups I and II may increase the genetic diversity in this species, and enable efficient selection among the progeny obtained from these crosses.