The Response of Genetic Diversity of Durum Wheat for Zinc Deficiency Stress in Calcareous Soil Using some Physiological Parameters

Zinc deficiency is a common problem in the agricultural lands of Iran, which is present in a significant part of them with different degrees. Among different wheat cultivars, durum is more sensitive to zinc deficiency than others. Considering the importance of Genetic diversity in breeding programs, the present study was carried out using 28 genotypes of durum wheat with the aim of identifying their behavioral response to zinc deficiency in calcareous soil, as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that zinc content and concentration in the shoots of tolerant cultivars like Dena and Cheheldaneh is not necessarily higher than susceptible cultivars such as Ozbec, Amonos and Aydin in both zinc deficiency and sufficiency conditions, and in resistant cultivars the concentration and content of zinc in the shoots may be less than the sensitive cultivars. In zinc deficiency condition, the lowest and highest dry weight of shoots were obtained in PGS and Cheheldaneh genotypes, respectively, and when sufficient it was obtained in Celcuklu and Cheheldaneh genotypes. The lowest zinc concentration in zinc deficiency belonged to genotype 45430 and the highest value belonged to Ozbec genotype. Also the lowest and highest zinc concentrations in zinc sufficiency were measured in genotypes Durbel and Mirzabey respectively. Genotype 45430 had the lowest and Ozbec had the highest zinc content in zinc deficiency condition. On the other hand in terms of zinc sufficiency, Amonos and Durbel genotypes commonly had the least zinc content and 45430 genotype its highest content. The most symptoms of zinc deficiency appeared in Durbel and the least symptoms were recorded in Dena genotype. In terms of zinc deficiency Zenit and Cakmak genotypes and by zinc application Mirzabey and Kunduru genotypes indicated the highest and lowest zinc consumption efficiencies, respectively.