Comparison of expression patterns of SOS1, NHX1 and HvHKT3 genes in barley seedlings under salinity stress

Among cereals, barley (Hordeum vulgre L.) is the most salt-tolerant crop‚ and is grown in a wide range of climatic conditions. Identification and expression analysis of genes involved in stress tolerance is considered one of the effective approaches to improve plant tolerance to salinity. In the present study, effects of salinity stress were investigated on the expression of SOS1, NHX1, and HvHKT3 genes in barley seedling plants. Based on results, the 200 mM NaCl treatment increased the expression of studied genes by 12.87, 2.19, and 2.54% compared with the control treatment. Furthermore, there is a significant difference among the tested genotypes in terms of all studied genes. Means comparison revealed that G3 (D10*2/4/Productive/3/Roho//Alger/Ceres362-1-1) showed the higher relative expressions for SOS1, NHX1, and HvHKT3 genes compared with another genotype and the check genotype (cv. Mehr). Hence, it seems that this genotype has considerable potential to use in breeding programs to improve salinity tolerance in barley due to its salinity tolerance. In conclusion, our results indicated the role of antiporters genes in barley in response to salinity stress.