The Influence of Osmotic Stress on Physiological and Biochemical Indices at Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Local Populations

Garlic is an asexually propagated crop with high morphological diversity and uses throughout the world. Although the salt tolerance among the cultivated species is low, there are some genotypes which present an acceptable level of adaptability to moderate saline conditions. In vegetables, these genotypes are represented especially by local varieties breeded by local farmers. It is therefore necessary to achieve a balance between productivity and salinity tolerance, for the obtaining of new genotypes with high productivity. Our experiments aimed to study the main physiological and biochemical indicators for the identification of salinity tolerant genotypes in a collection of local autumn and spring garlic populations from Timis County. The local populations studied show a wide genetic diversity based on synthesis of free proline, by selecting genotypes with good salinity tolerance for five autumn garlic varieties and five for spring garlic. There are major differences both morphologically and physiologically, between studied varieties of halophytes. Identification of these cultivars may represent a resource for breeding programs of cultivated vegetables on saline soils.