Abstract

LUQUEZ, J.E; BRIGUGLIO, M.A; IRIGOYEN, F  and  EYHERABIDE, G.A. Screening of soybean cultivars for chloride tolerance in Argentina. BAG, J. basic appl. genet. [online]. 2015, vol.26, n.2, pp.53-61. ISSN 1852-6233.

Soybean Glycine max [L. (Merrill)] is the most important crop in Argentina, where soil salinization is increasing. Development of salt tolerant cultivars is an effective approach to expand the crop area and minimize yield loss in saline soils. The aim of this work was to screen commercial soybean cultivars for chloride tolerance in three experiments. In the first experiment 37 cultivars were placed in paper rolls wetted with 50 mM NaCl. Germination speed and hypocotyl and radicle length were registered. Twelve cultivars were chloride tolerant as suggested by their hypocotyl and radicle length. In the second experiment, seven cultivars were grown under greenhouse conditions in containers with sandy soil, nutrients and 50 mM NaCl solution. Leaf scorch (LS) and leaves chloride content (LCC) were determined. Variability among cultivars was determined for both characteristics. In the third experiment, 13 cultivars were placed in paper rolls wetted with 100mM NaCl. Germination speed, hypocotyl and radicle length, and fresh plant weight were measured. Five cultivars were chloride tolerant as suggested by their fresh plant weight. Although 100 mM NaCl was the most restrictive treatment for seed germination, common chloride tolerant soybean cultivars were found in the three experiments. Therefore, genetic improvement for soybean chloride tolerance can be promising in Argentina.

Keywords : Soybean; Chloride tolerance; Germination; Screening; Variability; Glycine max [L. (Merrill)].